Eric Graf.JPG

Eric Graf, front, center, is the Green Party candidate for the 2nd district seat on the Syracuse Common Council. He announced his candidacy at a press conference at Stonethrower's Park on Tipperary Hill, Thursday, June 1, 2017.

(Chris Baker | cbaker@syracuse.com)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The local Green Party continues to fill its ticket for November's election with a third candidate for city council.

Eric Graf announced Thursday he will seek the 2nd district seat on the Syracuse Common Council. That seat is currently held by Democrat Chad Ryan, who is seeking a third term this fall.

With Graf, the Green Party now has a four-person ticket for November. Frank Cetera is running for councilor-at-large and Serena Seals is running in the 4th district. Howie Hawkins is the Green candidate for mayor.

In a speech that cited Abraham Lincoln, activist Angela Davis and Rage Against the Machine, Graf outlined an argument against a two-party political system. He said he supports proportional representation and rank choice voting in the city, where voters list candidates in order of preference. He also would like to increase the number of councilors who represent the city.

Graf said the city must focus on "grassroots democracy" and that the Democratic Party's stranglehold on city politics for most of the last five decades has not benefited residents.

"Without really being able to blame the Republicans with obstruction, you'd think they'd have a long list of progressive accomplishments and things are going well here," he said. "Unfortunately we know this isn't the case and we're on all the wrong lists."

His biggest concern within the city is poverty, he said. The 2nd district is home to the Near Westside, which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. The district also includes Tipperary Hill and a portion of the North Side around Destiny USA.

Graf supports the Green platform, which calls for a progressive income tax for city residents and workers. The tax would be between one-half and one percent of income.

He also declared support for a minimum wage of $15 per hour or more for city workers and said anyone who wants to work in the city should have access to work.

This is Graf's first run for public office.

In 2015, Graf worked on Cetera's campaign for the 2nd district council seat. He also campaigned for Bernie Sanders in last year's presidential primary.

Graf, 25, currently lives with his parents on Tennyson Avenue. He said he plans to move out soon, especially if elected. He's been saving money since college and at one point was considering going to law school. He works for the Syracuse City School District as a homebound coordinator.

In addition to Graf, Republican Edward Ott has announced plans to challenge the incumbent, Ryan.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.