SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- There is only one announced candidate for the Democratic nomination for congress in the 25th district, but Democrats still seem to be taking sides in what could be a battle for the party nod. Governor Eliot Spitzer is trying to avoid taking sides in what could be a battle for the Democratic nomination for congress in the 25th district.

“Let's just see what happens,” Spitzer said.

The question of whether that battle happens or not remains firmly under the control of long time Spitzer ally, Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll.

For days now, Daniel Maffei has been staging a campaign parading supporters from labor and politics to discourage a Driscoll candidacy. Maffei said he should be given a second chance to run for congress, since he came close to winning in 2006.

The alternative argument is that 2006 was a much different year, politically. The atmosphere calling for change in the congress would have allowed any Democrat to come close to beating Republican incumbent James Walsh. The argument in 2008 that, with an open seat, an established Democratic leader needs to step forward and run for the seat, and potentially return it to the Democratic column.

At Syracuse City Hall, there are politicians who say Driscoll should not run, others who say they would prefer he not.

“The mayor has made a commitment that he's going to stay. I just as soon see him stay, but ultimately that will be his decision, “said Bill Ryan, a common councilor.

Some who say he would make a strong candidate.

“It would be nice having somebody who's been running the city for the last six or seven years to actually be there in the congressional seat. Knows the problems of the cities and what the cities have to face every single day,” said Patrick Hogan, also on the council.

“He knows how to handle government business on a daily basis. In fact, I will credit him with bringing this city back from the brink of financial disaster,” said Common Councilor Van Robinson.

Maffei has now produced a list of endorsements from 20 of New York State's 23 Democratic members of congress. Another sign, he says, of his broad based support. But not on that list of endorsees, the freshman congressman from the neighboring 24th congressional district, Michael Arcuri. There is no explanation for his absence.

Syracuse mayor Matt Driscoll said he expects to make a decision on any congressional race in early February.