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<p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">Assemblyman John Lemondes,</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><em>I am a Central New Yorker impacted by outrageous utility rates.&nbsp; We need a ban on utility company donations, especially foreign-owned ones like NYSEG’s parent company, Avangrid.&nbsp; I call on you to return all donations from utility companies and their related PACs and lobbyists and fight for me!</em></span></p>

<h2>Return the Donations &amp; Ban Utility Spending!</h2>

<p><strong>John Lemondes </strong>is in their corner, taking donation after donation from NYSEG, their foreign-owned parent company, Avangrid, and the utility lobbyists.</p>

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<h4>I’m a common-sense Democrat, and I’m an optimist. But like you, I’m fed up with the angry rhetoric and finger-pointing coming out of Albany. That behavior doesn’t accomplish anything, and I know we can do better.</h4><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-left" style="width: 42.5%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/e7847e7a-c8d4-4fd9-a24a-afaa45040232/e36eb38c-42a5-482d-9f77-12f154f89aec/1928bc11-79b2-4854-9a99-c14b4663eec4.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=12&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=248%2C277%2C3376%2C2110&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="42.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none"></span></span><p><strong>I grew up right here in Central New York, just like my parents and grandparents before me.</strong> My grandparents raised their large families in modest, middle-class neighborhoods and were able to do so on a single income. My mom raised my brother and me on her own in the 80’s and 90’s. It was tough, but she was able to work full-time, put herself through nursing school, and eventually purchase a home.</p><h5>But now, with thousands of dollars in student debt, record high prices at the grocery store, and a lack of good-paying local jobs – the American Dream has become a pipe dream. It has become almost impossible for two working parents, much less a single working parent, to purchase a home.</h5><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-right" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/e7847e7a-c8d4-4fd9-a24a-afaa45040232/815b1da0-d865-444b-8fd5-aa553f31f1d2/815b1da0-d865-444b-8fd5-aa553f31f1d2.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C128%2C1275%2C1029&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none"></span></span><p><strong>Our families are living paycheck to paycheck, our young people are struggling with mental health crises, and our seniors are forced to choose between life-saving prescriptions and groceries. </strong>Yet our current Assemblyman only wants to talk about divisive and manufactured issues designed to distract us from everyday reality. These fringe issues divide us and prevent us from holding him accountable for his failure to address the very real needs of Central New Yorkers.</p><p>In my work with local educators, I’ve fought for and achieved smaller class sizes, fair funding for our school district from New York State, and free before and after school for our kids. At the same time, <strong>I’ve stood up to extremists who would rather spend time banning books </strong>than develop new ways to invest in our kids’ futures.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-left" style="width: 45%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/e7847e7a-c8d4-4fd9-a24a-afaa45040232/6aa2923f-ab67-470c-a1ad-87f2b6504510/d703d10a-58d1-4a90-9511-06b31b4c63a1.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=994%2C379%2C3043%2C1984&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="45" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none"></span></span><p><strong>As your Assemblyman, I will tackle the affordability crisis plaguing our families, bring good jobs to the area, and protect our air and water.</strong> These are tough challenges; they are <strong><em>real </em></strong>and impact people’s lives.&nbsp; I am a reality-based candidate running against an incumbent who would prefer to talk about wedge social issues that do not impact daily life.</p><h5>I believe strongly that most of our neighbors are reasonable people who want their elected officials to get things done.&nbsp;That’s why I’m running - to deliver on the issues my neighbors care about. I hope I can earn your support and your vote.&nbsp;</h5>

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<p><em>"We deserve an Assemblymember who can unite our communities and deliver the resources we need and deserve. I’ll tackle the affordability crisis, bring good jobs to the area, and protect our air and water. In short, </em><strong><em>I’m running for Assembly because we deserve better.”</em></strong></p>

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<p>One Auburn Democrat is looking to be the next person to represent New York’s 126th assembly district.</p><p>Auburn Public Theater was packed Tuesday afternoon as Ian Phillips formally declared his candidacy for New York’s 126th assembly district. Cayuga County elected officials were on hand to show their support for the school board president who is hoping to replace John Lemondes in the state assembly.&nbsp;Among those in attendance were State Senator Rachel May and Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman.</p><p>“You are the somebody who will fight for our families,” said McNabb-Coleman. “You’re the someone who will solve the problems and fight extremism. You are the person who will be courageous… I am so excited to support my friend Ian Phillips and make sure he becomes our next assembly member.”</p><p>May expressed her support for Phillips, saying she believes having him as her counterpart in the assembly will allow important legislation to get passed.</p><p>“I need a partner here in Auburn and Ian will be that partner,” said May “So both because of who he is personally and because of what he will represent, I am unbelievably excited to have Ian running.”</p><p>Describing himself as an optimist, Phillips said he believes there isn’t a problem the district is facing that can’t be solved by working together.</p><p>“I believe that the problems that we face are no match for the solutions within us and I believe in the American dream,” said Phillips.</p><p>While calling himself an optimist, he added that solving the area’s problems will require hard work. He believes that he will be able to work with elected officials throughout the district to create a better tomorrow. On particular issues, Phillips said he hopes to address the cost of living crisis, protect Owasco Lake at the state level, and bring more jobs to the region.</p><p>“I want to tackle the affordability crisis,” said Phillips. “I want to bring good jobs to the area in an equitable way and I want to protect our lakes and our drinking water.”</p><p>The 126th district covers parts of Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, including Auburn, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Camillus. John Lemondes has been representing the district since 2021.</p>

<p>One Auburn Democrat is looking to be the <strong>next person to represent New York’s 126th assembly district.</strong></p>

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<h4>Ian Phillips Announces Campaign for State Assembly</h4>

<p>Ian Phillips has been endorsed by two top Cayuga County Democrats in his bid to challenge Assemblyman John Lemondes in the 126th Assembly District.&nbsp;</p><p>Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino and Cayuga County Legislature Chair Aileen McNabb-Coleman are supporting Phillips, D-Auburn, for state Assembly.&nbsp;</p><p>"From his tireless work to support our schools and his advocacy for policies that support working and middle-income residents, Ian's record of results shows he's exactly what we need to combat the divisive rhetoric and lack of action in Albany," Giannettino said.&nbsp;</p><p>McNabb-Coleman added, "The extremism at every level of government is reducing our ability to solve problems and hindering our ability to support good-paying jobs, quality schools, affordable communities and our shared values. I've known Ian for years and I know he'll fight for our families and for commonsense solutions."&nbsp;</p><p>Phillips, a political organizer for New York State United Teachers and president of the Auburn school board, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://auburnpub.com/news/local/government-politics/ian-phillips-auburn-school-board-ny-assembly/article_9ffd1ec2-a9a1-11ee-9783-7328c97a49d9.html"><strong>launched his Assembly campaign</strong></a> this week. He is one of two Democrats in the race. Gregg Eriksen, a former Skaneateles village trustee and town board member, is also vying for the party's nomination.&nbsp;</p><p>Lemondes, R-LaFayette, is running for a third term representing the 126th district, which includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. He was first elected in 2020 to succeed the late Gary Finch. He won reelection in 2022.&nbsp;</p><p>Republicans hold an enrollment advantage in the 126th district, with GOP voters outnumbering Democrats by 4,400.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Ian Phillips has been endorsed by two top Cayuga County Democrats </strong>in his bid to challenge Assemblyman John Lemondes in the 126th Assembly District.&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Top Cayuga County Democrats endorse 'fresh voice' Phillips for NY Assembly</h4>

<p>In a rare move for a candidate in the Auburn-area state Assembly race, I<strong><span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">an Phillips has released a video ad pitching his "central New York comeback" story to voters.&nbsp;</span></strong></p>

<h4>Ian Phillips pitches CNY 'comeback' to voters in Auburn-area NY Assembly race</h4>

<p>Ian Phillips, a Central New York union leader, kicked off a campaign today for the Democratic nomination in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.latfor.state.ny.us/maps/2022assembly/asm126.pdf">126th state Assembly District </a>spanning Onondaga and Cayuga counties.</p><p>Phillips, 39, of Auburn, said he wants to challenge Assemblyman <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nyassembly.gov/mem/John-Lemondes">John Lemondes</a>, R-LaFayette, in the November election.</p><p>Phillips is a longtime Democratic Party leader who chaired the Cayuga County Democratic Committee from 2015 to 2021.</p><p>He is the regional political organizer for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nysut.org/">New York State United Teachers</a>, the statewide teachers union. Phillips is also president of the Auburn City School Board, where he has served two terms.</p><p>He launched his campaign this afternoon at the Auburn Public Theater, where new Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino announced his endorsement.</p><p>Phillips becomes the second Democrat to enter the race for the party’s nomination in the 126th District.</p><p>Gregg Eriksen, a former member of the Skaneateles Village Board, also plans to campaign for the Assembly post, said Max Ruckdeschel, chair of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee.</p><p>Phillips began his career in politics as a local staffer for former Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse. In 2018, Phillips served as campaign manager for John Mannion’s first bid for a state Senate seat in Central New York.</p><p>In the 2022 election, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.syracuse.com/politics/cny/2022/11/john-lemondes-elected-to-second-term-in-126th-assembly-district.html">Lemondes coasted to a second term victory</a>, 56%-40%, over Democrat Bruce MacBain of Auburn.</p><p>The 126th Assembly District spans the towns of Lysander, Elbridge, Camillus, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Spafford, Otisco, Tully, LaFayette, Pompey and Fabius in Onondaga County. It also includes parts of Cayuga County including the city of Aubu</p>

<p><strong>Ian Phillips, a Central New York union leader, kicked off a campaign today </strong>for the Democratic nomination in the 126th state Assembly District spanning Onondaga and Cayuga counties.</p>

<h4>Union leader seeks to challenge John Lemondes in election for NY Assembly</h4>

<p>Boosted by the state's new public financing system, <strong>Auburn Democrat Ian Phillips has more money in the bank than any Assembly challenger in New York.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h4>Auburn's Phillips is top fundraiser among NY Assembly challengers</h4>

<p>AUBURN — Ian Phillips, who has served as president of the city school board for three years, is running for higher office. </p><p>Phillips, of Auburn, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Assemblyman John Lemondes, a Republican, in the 126th Assembly District. The district includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. </p><p>In an interview with The Citizen/<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://auburnpub.com">auburnpub.com</a>, Phillips said there two key moments that led to his decision to run for state Assembly. </p><p>He recalled traveling to Albany with a group of educators and students to meet with state leaders about education funding for the Auburn Enlarged City School District. There were meetings with state Sen. Rachel May, who represents all of Cayuga County, and members of Gov. Kathy Hochul's staff. </p><p>"He was focused on other issues that were important to him and maybe were important to other people," Phillips said. "Walking out of that meeting, it made me feel like we needed better representation."&nbsp;</p><p>The other factor was seeing press releases sent by Lemondes' office. Phillips thinks those statements did not focus on issues of local importance.&nbsp;</p><p>"I have this strong belief that the problems that we face, while significant, can be overcome by the solutions within us if we work together," he said. "I feel like extremism and divisiveness and kind of placing the blame on marginalized groups is getting in the way of solving real issues."&nbsp;</p><p>Phillips, an Alfred University graduate, began his career as a community organizer in Philadelphia. While there, he was drawn to teaching after seeing students struggle with math. They were three or four years behind, he said, and it was because they didn't have a certified math teacher.&nbsp;</p><p>He joined Teach for America, a two-year program that encourages educators to teach in low-income areas. He taught middle school English and social studies in Detroit. He also taught summer school on Chicago's South Side.</p><p>"It is very eye-opening," he said. "You take for granted what you have growing up here. I tried to get through to the students that I had and build a rapport with them. I definitely feel like I learned as much from those students as they learned from me."&nbsp;</p><p>When Phillips returned to Auburn, he <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://auburnpub.com/news/local/rep-dan-maffei-meets-with-local-officials-and-constituents-at-auburn-office-open-house/article_8221b832-9c36-5a7d-b42b-46c29ac6a299.html"><strong>worked as an aide</strong></a> to U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei and ran the congressman's district office in the city. He has been active in local politics — he is a past chair of the Cayuga County Democratic Committee. Now, he works as a regional political organizer for New York State United Teachers, one of the most influential unions in the state.&nbsp;</p><p>Phillips was elected to the Auburn school board in 2018. He was reelected to another three-year term in 2021. His final term expires at the end of this school year. Instead of seeking a third term, he opted to run for Assembly.&nbsp;</p><p>Education is his "bread and butter," he said. It's one of the top issues on his platform as he campaigns for state Assembly.</p><p>"I believe education is our investment in the future and making sure we do that in a smart way is really the most critical thing to me," Phillips said.</p><p>His other priorities include protecting the lakes and advocating for an affordable economy in central New York.&nbsp;</p><p>Republicans have an enrollment edge in the 126th district, but it's not as large as it has been in the past. Active GOP voters outnumber Democrats by about 4,400.&nbsp;</p><p>Lemondes, who was elected to succeed the late Gary Finch in 2020, hasn't faced any difficulties in winning the past two elections. In 2022, he won reelection by a 9,000-vote margin. When he was first elected nearly four years ago, he won by a similar total.&nbsp;</p><p>Despite Lemondes' past success, Phillips sees a path to victory.&nbsp;</p><p>"I think that there's a hunger for somebody who is willing to get things done, who is not going to be an extremist, who wants to hear everybody out, collaborate with each other and try to find solutions to our problems and not talk about the national topic of the day," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p> Ian Phillips, who has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://auburnpub.com/news/local/education/shouting-ends-meeting-as-phillips-hernandez-elected-to-auburn-school-board-leadership-posts/article_551809c7-fe0c-5cac-9dab-291a13f4ea33.html"><strong>served as president</strong></a> of the city school board for three years, is running for higher office.&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Ian Phillips, Auburn school board president, running for NY Assembly</h4>

<p><strong>Ian has dedicated his career to ensuring that our kids get the best education and that our teachers and administrators have the resources they need to succeed.</strong> From his time organizing parents to demand increased school funding, to teaching in inner-city public schools, to being a union organizer for New York State United Teachers, Ian is always fighting to increase access to educational opportunities.</p><p><strong>Ian has been a member of the Auburn School Board for the past six years, serving as President for the past three years.</strong> In that time, class sizes have been lowered, free before-school and after-school programs have been added, 4th-grade music programs have been restored, and STEM specialized teachers have been added to all grade levels to promote the skills of tomorrow - all while lowering the district tax rate by 14%.</p><p>As our Assemblymember,<strong> Ian will fight to ensure our schools are fully funded</strong> and expand access to free or low-cost before and after-school programs.</p>

<p>Ian has dedicated his career to ensuring that <strong>our kids get the best education</strong> and that our teachers and administrators have the resources they need to succeed. </p>

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<h2>EDUCATION</h2>

<p><strong><span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">Democratic candidate Ian Phillips has challenged Republican Assemblyman John Lemondes to a series of debates in the 126th Assembly District.</span></strong>&nbsp;He is proposing debates with audiences in three Onondaga County towns and in northern Cayuga County. </p>

<h4>Phillips challenges Lemondes to debates in Auburn-area NY Assembly race</h4>

<p><strong>The man looking to replace John Lemondes in the state assembly is criticizing the assemblyman</strong> for his comments following the announcement that Bimbo Bakeries would close its Auburn location.</p>

<h4>Phillips: Lemondes “Out of Touch” on Bimbo Bakeries Closure</h4>

<p>Like much of the country, Central New York has hemorrhaged good, middle-class jobs over the last several decades. Good union jobs that provided a nice middle-class lifestyle have been replaced with minimum wage service industry jobs or the gig economy. The recent investments in chip-making will help with job creation, but it’s just a start.  <strong>We need to make sure our children and grandchildren can benefit and build their own families right here in Central New York.</strong></p><p>In the Assembly, Ian will fight to ensure that local residents are trained and prepared for these new tech industry jobs. That’s why, as Auburn School Board President, <strong>Ian focused on adding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) teachers at all grade levels for our kids.</strong> And it’s why he’ll work to make sure that the necessary infrastructure improvements that come with these new jobs are filled by local residents and provide long-term employment and a pathway to the middle class.</p>

<p>Ian is working to make sure our children and grandchildren are able to <strong>benefit and build their own families</strong> right here in Central New York.</p>

<h2>JOBS</h2>

<p>As we all saw recently in Hoosick Falls and Flint, Michigan, clean and safe drinking water is something we can no longer take for granted. <strong>The quality and health of our air, lakes, and drinking water supply is critical.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>As the former Chair of the Cayuga County Democratic Committee, Ian has worked to elect people who are leaders on these issues. Central New York lakes have been plagued by harmful algal blooms (HABs). These HABs release neurotoxins that threaten our growing tourism industry and our drinking water.&nbsp; Local lakes are closed to swimming, and increased chlorination and treatment are required to keep our water drinkable.</p><p><strong>Our current Assemblyman has been silent on this critical issue.&nbsp; Ian will work to ensure our lakes are clean and safe for our drinking water and recreation.</strong></p>

<p>Central New York lakes have been plagued by harmful algal blooms. Local lakes are closed to swimming, and increased chlorination and treatment are required to keep our water drinkable. <strong>Ian will work to ensure our lakes are clean and safe for our drinking water and recreation.</strong></p>

<h2>ENVIRONMENT</h2>

<p>By raising most of his money from residents of the 126th Assembly District, <strong>Ian Phillips is eligible to receive $175,000 more through a new state public campaign finance program. </strong></p>

<h4>How Ian Phillips raised $205K for Auburn-area NY Assembly campaign</h4>

<p><strong>Rising costs are killing the American Dream. </strong>Even dual-income households struggle to afford a home, pay off their student loans, hire childcare, or deal with unexpected healthcare costs. And our seniors are forced to cut back on their groceries or prescriptions.</p><p>Ian understands these issues firsthand. While he’s fortunate enough to have health insurance, he would be suffering from a mountain of medical debt if he did not, as he requires a medication that would cost him $11,000 a month without insurance. He knows that’s outrageous, and that’s why <strong>he’ll fight to ensure that the state budget isn’t balanced on the backs of our seniors or hardworking middle-class Central New Yorkers.</strong></p><p>As Auburn School Board President, Ian fought to add free before and after school programs. As our Assemblyman, <strong>Ian will work to provide opportunities for first-time homebuyers, increase free and low-cost access to childcare, and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality healthcare and affordable prescription drugs.</strong></p>

<p>As our Assemblyman, Ian will work to provide opportunities for first-time homebuyers, <strong>increase free and low-cost access to childcare, </strong>and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality healthcare and affordable prescription drugs.</p>

<h2>COST OF LIVING</h2>

<p>Prices for everything from groceries to gas are on the rise across the country. Paychecks are flat. Towns, cities, and school districts are making drastic cuts, increasing taxes and fees, or both.</p><p>Out-of-control utility costs are a key reason behind this breakdown of basic affordability for working and middle-class people in the last decade.</p><p>Utility costs for most CNY school districts are up 30% to 40% from just last year. The same is true for cities like Auburn, Syracuse and Buffalo, to name a few. That fact (coupled with increased health care costs) is why so many school districts and municipalities are cutting staff while increasing local taxes. Teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public employees face the threat of layoffs and stagnant wages. We all suffer when the services and people we rely on are stretched too thin.</p><p>So who benefits from out-of-control utility costs? In the case of NYSEG, it is Avangrid&nbsp;— their Spanish-owned parent company. Profits are at record levels and looking even better as demand rises with chip factories and data centers.</p><p>NYSEG, Avangrid, and the other utility monopolies want to keep prices high, so they donate to politicians who lock the rigged rules in place. One such politician is Assemblyman John Lemondes, who has taken at least 11 donations in just the last five years from utility lobbyists.</p><p>He doesn't have a plan to tackle utility costs because he is on the side of the utility lobbyists.</p><p>I’m running for Assembly to make real change for Central New Yorkers and to keep money in my neighbors pockets:</p><p>Here is my simple plan:</p><p>•&nbsp;Cap utility rate increases to 2% or the rate of inflation (whichever is less).</p><p>•&nbsp;Ban data centers for five years and require energy-guzzling data centers to pay for all grid updates in advance and at no cost to residential consumers.</p><p>•&nbsp;Ban utilities from lobbying and donating to political campaigns; require politicians like Lemondes to return these donations.</p><p>•&nbsp;Ban foreign ownership of all public utilities.</p><p>•&nbsp;Invest in true energy independence, including nuclear expansion in Oswego County, generous incentives for residential solar and wind, and expansion of municipally-owned geothermal and hydroelectric power.</p><p>I’ll never take a cent from the utility industry or any other corporate lobby, because I’ll work for you. We deserve better than sellout politicians like John Lemondes.</p>

<h4>Phillips: To battle utility companies, ban their donations to politicians like Lemondes</h4>

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<h4>Affordability, water among Ian Phillips' top issues in second run for NY Assembly</h4>

Ian Phillips is running for New York State Assembly, District 126!