10-02-2025
Syracuse City Hall fires budget director blamed with making ‘racist' comments
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The City of Syracuse has fired its budget director, a man also running for Syracuse mayor, over allegations he made 'racist' comments on social media.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Syracuse City Hall writes: 'The City of Syracuse terminated Timothy Rudd as budget director effective immediately. The statements attributed to him in local media and in his own social media posts, which he does not deny making, are racist, disrespectful, and demeaning. They are inconsistent with the City's expectations—especially for those in a management role.'
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Rudd has made comments on his Facebook page and in newspaper interviews that invoke references to slavery in the context of Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens.
Rudd has been suspended since January 31.
Rudd has also announced his candidacy for mayor, switching parties to run as a Republican. Owens is one of many candidates running as a Democrat.
Rudd served on the Syracuse Common Council in 2017 for three years before he was appointed to join Mayor Ben Walsh's administration as the budget director.
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