Myles announces mayoral run

Donta Myles held a press conference Thursday and has joined the crowd seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Robert Restaino.

Restaino, a Democrat, is completing his 2nd term after winning reelection by 206 votes 3 years ago. He has not announced a run for reelection.

Myles served 4 years on city council before losing last cycle. He speaks at every meeting. He is a father, husband, entrepreneur and homeowner who lost his job with Community Missions when it was defunded by the Restaino administration. He then worked a few years for NILICO selling life insurance before moving on to other things like helping his wife with the Pink Apron food truck.

Myles has been steadfast in his opposition to the incumbent Mayor, criticizing him for how American Rescue Plan, the police GIVE grant and Community Development Block Grant funds as well as over Centennial Park.

In the last council election cycle, the city's Democratic committee, with the support of Restaino, only endorsed one winning candidate, Bridgette Myles who has been a consist foe of every issue the mayor brings forth.

Here’s how the race shapes up:

Incumbent

Mayor Restaino: Likely to run for a third term. He just presented a proposed city budget with a very small property tax increase. The critics are out there but the city’s finances are in good order. His Achilles heel is the perception he doesn’t communicate with the council.

He also has been adamant about the need for a multi-purpose event center. By next spring, he will be able to point to city finances, as well as construction on Main Street and Pine Avenue as representing progress.

Democratic Challengers

John Caso: retired DPW leader. The first to announce. Great experience. His daughter greeted his announcement by calling him an absent father on social media. Well regarded by city employees and the Italian community.

Ezra Scott Jr.: Former council member. Spent the last few years in Albany serving an Empire State Fellowship and working for the Public Service Commission. Was home for a few weeks and threw social media bombs at Sean Mapp who lost the 4th District incumbent Jeffrey Elder. Unlikely to run.

Republican Challenger

Carl Cain: Retired police officer. Did not really run a vigorous campaign 4 years ago and lost to Restaino by 206 votes even though he did not have the support of the police union.

Vincent Cauley: Engineer in his first full term on council. Tireless campaigner. Outspoken critic of Restaino. If the mayor told Cauley the sky was blue, Vincent would argue no, it is not, it is cerulean.