For a chunk of her campaign money, Jean Kessner can thank Eleanor Roosevelt.

As of Oct. 23, Kessner had raised $8,526 in her campaign for an At-Large seat on the Syracuse Common Council. Of that money, $1,000 came from the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, which awards pro-choice Democratic women running for office. Kessner is among the winners announced on Oct. 1.

Eleanor Roosevelt was the first lady in the Great Depression when her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. The award — and Kessner’s use of it — is an appropriate tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt, said Syracuse city chair of the Democratic Committee, Jim Gaffey. Eleanor Roosevelt, he said, put a lot of emphasis on getting women involved in the political process.

“The award focuses on encouraging women,” said  Gaffey, to get into politics and government.  

Kessner, a Democrat, is  one of three candidates running for two slots for Councilor At-Large. The other two candidates are Democrat Lance Denno and Republican Fanny Villarreal.

The election is Nov. 3.

For her part, Kessner describes herself as uncomfortable raising money. Asking friends and strangers, she said, is “awkward.”

Kessner’s fundraising and spending reports, filed with the New State Board of Elections, show this snapshot of her campaign finances:

• She has raised a total of $8,526 between April 23 and Oct. 19.
• Of that, $5,651 came from named individuals.
• She has spent a total of $4,197.
• Of that, $1,053 went for yard signs; $804 for fundraiser catering and $777 for postcard printing.

“I want people to know that I am running for office and I use the money to accomplish that,” said Kessner. “If they have the money and want to support me and want to give me something, I really appreciate that.”
 

(Silvia Milanova is a senior with dual majors in newspaper journalism and nutrition.)

- 30 -