Matthew J. Driscoll Matthew J. Driscoll, a Democrat is the current and 52nd Mayor of Syracuse, NY. Driscoll became Mayor in May of 2001 when republican Roy Bernardi left for a secretary appointment in president Bush's adminisrtation. Driscoll suceeded Bernardi beacuse he was president of the City of Syracuse Common Council. That fall Driscoll defeated several democrats in a primary, including Kate O'Connell. He went on to be elected after defeating former common councilor , Bernie Mahoney by a 32%lead. Previously, he served as President of the Syracuse Common Council]] from 1998–2001, as Third District Councilor in 1995 and Second District Councilor from 1987–1989.