Union leader seeks to challenge John Lemondes in election for NY Assembly

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

Phillips, 39, of Auburn, said he wants to challenge Assemblyman John Lemondes, R-LaFayette, in the November election.

Phillips is a longtime Democratic Party leader who chaired the Cayuga County Democratic Committee from 2015 to 2021.

He is the regional political organizer for New York State United Teachers, the statewide teachers union. Phillips is also president of the Auburn City School Board, where he has served two terms.

He launched his campaign this afternoon at the Auburn Public Theater, where new Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino announced his endorsement.

Phillips becomes the second Democrat to enter the race for the party’s nomination in the 126th District.

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.

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.

In the 2022 election, Lemondes coasted to a second term victory, 56%-40%, over Democrat Bruce MacBain of Auburn.

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 Auburn.

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