Jen Schultz (left) has launched a write-in bid to unseat Jimmy Monto (right). Both are Democrats.

Current Syracuse councilor Jen Schultz will mount a write-in campaign to challenge fellow councilor and Democrat Jimmy Monto, Schultz said in an interview with Central Current.

They previously represented separate Common Council districts — the 1st and 5th districts — but that will change after this election cycle.

An independent redistricting commission drew new council maps, approved in September 2022, that will take effect on Jan. 1 of next year.

Under the new maps, Schultz no longer resides in the 1st district, which she currently represents. She now lives in what will become the 5th district, the same one as Monto.

Rather than run against Monto in the Democratic primary earlier this year, Schultz ran for one of the two open at-large seats in this year’s cycle. She ultimately lost the primary race to Chol Majok and Rita Paniagua, both of whom are also currently on the council.

The 1st district currently includes portions of the following Syracuse neighborhoods:

  • North Side
  • Washington Square
  • Sedgwick
  • Lincoln Park

The new 5th district, established after this election cycle, will include portions of the following Syracuse neighborhoods:

  • Sedgwick
  • Eastwood
  • Lincoln Park
  • Near Eastside
  • Salt Springs

Schultz decided to run a write-in campaign Friday. She called the New York State Board of Elections about the requirements to run. Schultz does not have to file any papers with the Board of Elections, she said.

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“I’m not done,” Schultz said in an interview with Central Current.

Schultz pegged safe and affordable housing as one of the major issues that she believes the council will have to address.

She also pointed out that stimulus money given to the city by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan will end in 2026, meaning the city will have to re-evaluate its budget and what it funds.

Monto, who had been running unopposed before Schultz’s announcement, said his district faces a number of quality of life issues and that he views the solution as building strong neighborhoods. Schultz’s entrance into the race will not change how he campaigns, Monto said.

This is the second time Monto is running to be re-elected for the seat. He was re-elected in November after being appointed to fill former councilor Joe Driscoll’s seat in August 2022. Driscoll took a job as the Interstate 81 project manager for the city.

Schultz is finishing her first term on the council. She was elected in 2021 and began serving in the role in 2022.

Early voting starts Oct. 28 and will run through Nov. 7. To find out more information about voting in this fall’s elections, visit the Onondaga County Board of Elections website.

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Chris Libonati is the managing editor of Central Current. He is a founding editorial member of the organization and was hired as Central Current's first reporter. He previously worked at the Syracuse Post-Standard...