The Third Time's The Charm? Inside Corey Ellis's Bold Bid To Reshape Albany, NY
Albany, New York’s political landscape is currently dominated by a high-stakes campaign, with veteran public servant Corey Ellis launching his third and most determined bid for the city's top office. As of late 2025, Ellis remains the influential President of the Albany Common Council, a role he has used to champion significant legislative reforms and establish a clear, progressive platform for change in the state capital. His latest run for Mayor is framed as a critical turning point, promising a "Plan for Progress" that directly addresses the city's most pressing issues: public safety, affordable housing, and aging infrastructure.
The current political climate, marked by intense debate over community policing and economic development, has positioned Ellis as a central figure. His long history in city government and deep roots in the community—having grown up in the city’s South End and Arbor Hill neighborhoods—lend significant weight to his vision for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Albany. This article delves into the political journey of Corey Ellis, his comprehensive policy platform, and the key entities and issues shaping his campaign.
Corey Ellis: A Biography and Political Profile
Corey Ellis is a lifelong resident and dedicated “son of Albany,” whose career has been a testament to community advocacy and public service within the Capital Region. His journey from a neighborhood advocate to a leading city official provides the foundation for his current political aspirations.
- Full Name: Corey Ellis
- Current Age: Approximately 57 years old (Born circa 1968)
- Political Affiliation: Democratic Party
- Hometown: Albany, New York
- Childhood Neighborhoods: South End and Arbor Hill
- Current Role: President of the Albany Common Council (Assumed office in 2018)
- Term End: January 1, 2026
- Previous Political Roles: Served as a member of the Albany Common Council prior to his election as President.
- Mayoral Campaigns: Three-time mayoral candidate, having previously lost bids to former Mayor Jerry Jennings and current Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
- Professional Focus: Public service, community advocacy, and improving opportunities for Albany residents.
The Road to Common Council Presidency
Ellis’s political career is characterized by persistence and a deep commitment to the city’s neighborhoods. Before securing the presidency, he served as a member of the Albany Common Council, gaining crucial experience in municipal governance and legislative processes. His initial mayoral runs, though unsuccessful, established him as a serious contender and a powerful voice for change against long-time incumbents like Jerry Jennings and Kathy Sheehan.
In 2017, Ellis successfully returned to city politics by winning a three-way race for the Albany Common Council President seat, assuming office in 2018. This position, which makes him the second-highest elected official in the city, has allowed him to directly shape the legislative agenda, focusing the Council's attention on issues of equity, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement.
A New Public Safety Vision: The Centerpiece of the Campaign
One of the most compelling and fresh aspects of Corey Ellis’s current mayoral campaign is his comprehensive approach to public safety, which moves beyond traditional policing models. Recognizing that crime is often a symptom of deeper social and economic issues, Ellis has partnered with key community entities to develop a multi-faceted strategy.
In collaboration with Dr. Alice Green and the Center for Law & Justice, Ellis outlined a "New Public Safety Vision" for Albany. This plan is designed to implement meaningful police reform while simultaneously enhancing community well-being.
Key components of Ellis’s Public Safety Plan include:
- Creation of a Public Safety Commission: Ellis has strongly advocated for the establishment of a dedicated Public Safety Commission. This body would be tasked with managing the implementation of police reforms and ensuring accountability and transparency within the Albany Police Department (APD).
- Addressing Root Causes: The platform emphasizes investing in youth programs, mental health services, and job training to address the underlying causes of crime in communities like South End, Arbor Hill, and West Hill.
- Community-Based Response: Promoting a shift toward non-police responses for certain crises, such as mental health calls, to free up APD resources and ensure a more appropriate, compassionate response.
This progressive vision positions Ellis as a candidate willing to tackle the complex challenges of urban crime by integrating social services with law enforcement strategy, a key distinction in the crowded Democratic primary field which included candidates like Dorcey Applyrs, Daniel Cerutti, and Carolyn McLaughlin.
The Core Policy Pillars: Housing and Infrastructure
Beyond public safety, Ellis’s "Plan for Progress" is built on two other foundational pillars essential for the future of the City of Albany: affordable housing and infrastructure modernization. These issues directly impact the daily lives of Albany residents and are central to his narrative of equitable growth.
Driving Affordable Housing Initiatives
As Common Council President, Ellis has been an active force in pushing for stronger affordable housing protections and funding. His work has focused on ensuring that new development projects contribute to the city's housing stock for all income levels.
- Inclusionary Zoning: Ellis has championed the push for an Affordable Housing Requirement (often referred to as inclusionary zoning) to mandate that a percentage of units in new developments be set aside for low- and moderate-income residents.
- Funding Housing Services: In a notable legislative move, the Common Council, under Ellis’s leadership, unanimously voted to override Mayor Sheehan’s veto on a $125,000 appropriation specifically earmarked for housing-related services, underscoring his commitment to direct financial support for housing needs.
- Combatting Blight: His plan includes strategies to address vacant properties and land banks, turning blighted structures into safe, affordable homes, thereby revitalizing neglected neighborhoods.
Modernizing Albany’s Infrastructure
Infrastructure is a perennial issue in older cities, and Ellis has made it a priority to address the city’s aging water, sewer, and road systems. His platform calls for "smart investments" to improve the quality of life and support economic development.
A significant, and often controversial, infrastructure and development issue Ellis has weighed in on is the proposed $600 million, 8,000-seat professional soccer stadium complex in downtown Albany. His measured response to this large-scale project highlights his focus on ensuring that major developments benefit the entire city and not just a select area, a position that resonates with both fiscal conservatives and community activists concerned about equitable resource distribution.
Topical Authority and The Future of Albany Politics
Corey Ellis's third run for Mayor is more than just another campaign; it is a referendum on the direction of Albany’s governance. Entities central to this political discussion include the Albany Common Council, the Albany County Legislature, the Times Union newspaper, and the city’s key neighborhoods.
His deep ties to the community, combined with his specific, actionable policy proposals—such as the Public Safety Commission and the push for stronger affordable housing mandates—establish him as a candidate with significant topical authority on the issues that matter most to Albany voters.
As the campaign progresses toward the primary election, the debate over how best to achieve a "stronger, safer, and more prosperous Albany" will continue to dominate the political discourse. For many, Ellis represents a seasoned alternative, a voice from the neighborhoods who has the legislative experience to translate his vision into reality at 24 Eagle Street, the seat of Albany's city government.
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