15 Facts About Ben Walsh

Benjamin Walsh was born on July 4,1979 and is an American politician currently serving as the 54th Mayor of Syracuse New York, United States.

Ben Walsh grew up as one of three children in the Strathmore neighborhood.

Ben Walsh attended Ithaca College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Ben Walsh went on to attend Syracuse University, where he received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Ben Walsh began his policy career working for Laborers Local 633, working on construction jobs around Onondaga Lake after his graduation from Ithaca College.

In 2002, Ben Walsh returned to Syracuse to run his fathers congressional campaign.

Ben Walsh eventually returned to Syracuse to work at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry educating municipalities about brownfields.

Ben Walsh worked on the Metropolitan Development Association, a precursor to CenterState CEO.

Additionally, Ben Walsh served on several boards and community groups around Syracuse, including serving as president of the Gifford Foundation board.

Ben Walsh was elected Mayor of Syracuse, NY in 2017 while running on two minor party lines, the Independence Party of New York and Reform Party of New York State.

In what was generally seen as an upset, Ben Walsh defeated Democratic Party frontrunner Juanita Perez Williams.

In January 2019 Ben Walsh introduced his major policy plan, Syracuse Surge, at that year's State of the City.

In January 2020 Ben Walsh announced the Resurgent Neighborhood Initiative, a plan for housing and economic development focused on ten neighborhoods and business corridors throughout the City of Syracuse.

On March 7,2023 Mayor Ben Walsh's administration announced The Safer Streets Program, a $1 million proposal from The Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence and Lateef Johnson-Kinsey recommending paying known gang members a weekly $100-$200 stipend not to commit violent crime and to attend training, therapy and career coaching.

Ben Walsh worked with InterFaith Works, a local charity, to lead community discussions on Syracuse's Christopher Columbus monument in 2018 and 2019.