The Cayuga County Democratic Committee has announced two endorsements for state offices.
State Senator Rachel May has received the committee’s support as she hopes to keep her seat representing New York’s 48th State Senate District.
In deciding to endorse May, Committee Chair Dia Carabajal told Finger Lakes News Radio that the committee has been impressed by how quickly she’s been able to familiarize herself with the problems facing Cayuga County, namely water quality, and advocate for solutions.
“She’s been able to really get up to speed on all these water issues in Cayuga County, and she’s an advocate for education,” Carabajal said. “We look forward to working with her again.”
May previously represented New York’s 53rd Senate District; however, after redistricting, May ran for and won the 48th District Seat in 2022. She currently faces two challengers hoping for the Republican party’s support – Fanny Villarreal and Caleb Slater.
The district is comprised of the entirety of Cayuga County as well as the City of Syracuse and the Towns of Elbridge, Fabius, LaFayette, Lysander, Marcellus, Onondaga, Pompey, Skaneateles, Spafford, Tully, and Van Buren in Onondaga County.
Ian Phillips, current president of the Auburn School Board, has received his party’s support in his race for State Assembly. Carabajal said the committee is excited to support someone they know so well. Phillips had previously served as the committee’s chair.
“Ian is one of our own. He comes from Cayuga County; he certainly is our friend and we know him well,” she continued. “We’re happy and excited about supporting him for the assembly race.”
On January 2, Phillips officially announced his campaign to unseat John Lemondes and become the newest representative for New York’s 126th State Assembly District. The incumbent, who was first elected to the position in 2020, announced he would run for re-election later that same month.
A fellow Democrat, Gregg Eriksen of Skaneateles, previously announced he would run for the 126th Assembly seat as well; however, according to Carabajal, he withdrew his name from consideration with the Cayuga and Onondaga County Democratic Committees last Friday, thus avoiding a primary.
Carabajal added that the committee has yet to endorse a candidate for run in the 24th Congressional District. This is because of uncertainty surrounding which district Cayuga County will fall into due to redistricting. The committee will reconvene at a later date to pick a congressional candidate.
