State Assemblyman John Lemondes announced Friday that he is suspending his campaign for New York’s 22nd Congressional District.
In a statement, Lemondes said, “After a great deal of consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, I have decided to suspend my campaign. I am tremendously humbled and grateful to the supporters I’ve met across Central New York, and equally thankful for the members of my campaign team who have been so dedicated to this pursuit. Service to country and community will always be in my blood, and I have been blessed to serve the people of the 126th Assembly District for three full terms. I intend to continue serving the families of Onondaga and Cayuga counties as a member of the Assembly, in 2026 and beyond.”
Lemondes, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, small business owner, and farmer from Lafayette, announced his bid for Congress in August. He has represented the 126th Assembly District since 2021, and had planned to focus his congressional campaign on border security, the economy, support for small businesses, and restoring public trust in government.
“As a small business owner, I know firsthand how excessive government regulation hurts growth and innovation. As a farmer, I understand the struggles facing our agricultural community. And as a veteran, I will never stop fighting for safe neighborhoods and secure borders,” Lemondes said at the time of his announcement.
Lemondes served 27 years in the Army, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In Albany, he has often been critical of Governor Kathy Hochul and had said he would bring the same approach to Washington if elected.
The 22nd Congressional District covers parts of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
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