News
PRESS RELEASE - July 9, 2026
Contact: Steven Anderson, Campaign Manager
LIPE EARNS UNIFIED DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT FOLLOWING PRIMARY VICTORY
UTICA, NY - Jon Lipe, candidate for New York’s 119th Assembly District, announced today the unanimous endorsements of two groups of key local elected Democrats, reinforcing party unity following his June 23rd primary victory.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the support I've received from leaders in our community following the primary," Lipe said. "I want to especially thank Joe Betar for running a thoughtful campaign and for his commitment to serving our community. We share the same priorities of fighting for the people of the Mohawk Valley, and I'm excited to unite our supporters and build a broad coalition to win in November."
Endorsing Lipe are all six Democratic members of the Utica Common Council: Common Councilor-at-large and Majority Leader Jack LoMedico, First Ward Councilor Katie Aiello, Second Ward Councilor Robert Burmaster, Third Ward Councilor and Chair of the Committee of the Whole Joe Betar, Fifth Ward Councilor Venice Ervin, and Councilor-at-large Heather Wasielewski.
“I’m happy to support Jon. His years of experience and connections to our community make him a good fit for the position,” LoMedico said. “He knows the issues that are important to the people of Utica and he’ll do a great job for us in the Assembly.”
Lipe ran in the Democratic primary against Utica Councilor Joe Betar. Throughout the primary campaign, both candidates emphasized the importance of electing a Democrat to serve in the majority who could be effective in delivering for the Mohawk Valley.
"Jon and I both share a commitment to strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for local residents,” Betar said. “I respect Jon and the campaign he’s running, and I encourage everyone who supported me in the primary to support Jon in November.”
Also endorsing Lipe are all eight Democratic members of the Oneida County Legislature: Minority Leader, former Utica mayor, and District 19 Legislator Tim Julian; District 14 Legislator Chad Davis; District 15 Legislator Maria Pezzolanella McNiel; District 18 Legislator Joe Furgol; District 20 Legislator Venice Ervin; District 21 Legislator Lori Washburn; District 22 Legislator Kelly Mercurio Bianco; and District 23 Legislator Tony Leone.
“Jon is the right choice to represent the Mohawk Valley in the State Assembly majority,” Julian said. “His substantial legislative experience will quickly pay dividends as he delivers real results for our region.”
In addition to the Democratic nomination, Lipe has secured the Working Families Party nomination and will also appear on the independent ballot line Mohawk Valley 1st. He will be on three ballot lines in the November general election.
Jon Lipe has spent his career in public service, working to build a better future for families in the Mohawk Valley. He has worked for Democrats and Republicans, including Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, Anthony Brindisi, and John Mannion. If elected to the State Assembly, Lipe will fight to protect healthcare access, lower energy costs, and promote local economic growth. Lipe lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children.
The 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome, as well as the towns of Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown. It is currently represented by Democrat Marianne Buttenschon, who is retiring this year after four terms in office.
More information is available at www.lipeforassembly.com.
PRESS RELEASE - June 12, 2026
Contact: Steven Anderson, Campaign Manager
CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATORS ENDORSE LIPE FOR ASSEMBLY
UTICA - Jon Lipe, Democratic candidate for the 119th Assembly District, announced today that his campaign has been endorsed by four leading Central New York legislators: State Senator Rachel May, State Senator Lea Webb, Assemblymember Al Stirpe, and Assemblymember Anna Kelles. They join a long list of other elected officials and advocacy groups who have backed Lipe’s campaign.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with many respected members of our Central New York delegation in the state legislature,” Lipe said. “I am deeply honored to have the confidence and support of State Senator May, State Senator Webb, Assemblyman Stirpe, and Assemblywoman Kelles in this race. If I am the Democratic nominee and elected in November, I will get right to work in January, joining my Upstate colleagues in delivering for our region.”
State Senator Rachel May represents the 48th State Senate District, which includes the cities of Syracuse and Auburn. She previously represented portions of Oneida County. Assemblyman Al Stirpe represents the 127th Assembly District, which covers the areas north and east of Syracuse, including a portion of Madison County. Assemblywoman Anna Kelles represents the 125th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Cortland and Ithaca. State Senator Lea Webb represents the 52nd State Senate District, which includes the cities of Cortland, Ithaca, and Binghamton.
Lipe has also been endorsed by Congressman Pat Ryan (D-Kingston), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 43, the Working Families Party, and StreetsPAC. Lipe has received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund.
Lipe is currently seeking the Democratic nomination in this month’s primary. Lipe has secured the Working Families Party ballot line as well as an independent ballot line called Mohawk Valley First. Lipe was the only candidate in the race to pursue a line for independent voters. If he is the Democratic nominee, Lipe would be the only candidate for State Assembly to appear on three ballot lines in November.
The Democratic primary will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd. Early voting begins on Saturday, June 13th.
Jon Lipe has spent his career in public service, working to build a better future for families in the Mohawk Valley. Over the past twenty years, he has worked for Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, Anthony Brindisi, and John Mannion. If elected, Lipe will fight to protect healthcare access, lower energy costs, and promote local economic growth. Lipe lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children.
The 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome, as well as the towns of Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown. It is currently represented by Democrat Marianne Buttenschon, who previously also ran on the Mohawk Valley First ballot line and is retiring this year after four terms in office.
More information is available at www.lipeforassembly.com.
PRESS RELEASE - June 1, 2026
Contact: Steven Anderson, Campaign Manager
LIPE FOR ASSEMBLY EARNS THIRD BALLOT LINE
UTICA, NY - Jon Lipe, candidate for New York’s 119th Assembly District, announced on Monday that the Oneida County Board of Elections has accepted his petition for a third ballot line in the November election. Should Lipe win the Democratic primary later this month, he would appear on the November ballot under the Democratic, Working Families, and Mohawk Valley 1st parties.
“We are a unique sort of people in the Mohawk Valley,” Lipe said. “Most of us are independent thinkers who don’t perfectly align with either party. I want to make sure everyone has a home on my campaign and a place to voice themselves on the ballot in November.”
Over the past seven weeks, dozens of Democratic, Republican, and Independent volunteers for Lipe collected signatures from registered voters for the Mohawk Valley 1st party. Lipe and his team of supporters knocked on more than 10,000 doors.
“Having a candidate who appears on three ballot lines would be a big boost for Democrats in November,” said Angela Topi, Chair of the Rome Democratic Committee. “By collecting the signatures needed for an independent line, Jon has proven his campaign has the strength to carry us to victory this fall.”
Lipe was the only candidate in the race to pursue a ballot line for independent voters. All other candidates would appear on one or two ballot lines this fall.
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked for some great local leaders who served as independent voices for our area, like Republican Sherwood Boehlert and Democrat Anthony Brindisi,” Lipe said. “They knew that the best representatives put their people before their party.”
Lipe, who has also received the endorsement of the local Working Families Party, is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party. The Democratic primary will be held on June 23rd. Early voting begins on June 13th.
Jon Lipe has spent his career in public service, working to build a better future for families in the Mohawk Valley. Over the past twenty years, he has worked for Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, Anthony Brindisi, and John Mannion. If elected, Lipe will fight to protect healthcare access, lower energy costs, and promote local economic growth. Lipe lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children.
The 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome, as well as the towns of Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown. It is currently represented by Democrat Marianne Buttenschon, who previously also ran on the Mohawk Valley 1st ballot line and is retiring this year after four terms in office.
More information is available at www.lipeforassembly.com.
PRESS RELEASE - March 16, 2026
Contact: Steven Anderson, Campaign Manager
(315) 220-0409
LIPE FOR ASSEMBLY REACHES FUNDRAISING MILESTONE
UTICA, NY - Jon Lipe, candidate for New York’s 119th Assembly District, announced on Monday that his campaign has raised more than $8,000 from over 150 local grassroots donations. More than half of the campaign’s donors reside within the 119th Assembly District, instantly qualifying Lipe for more than $50,000 in matching funds from New York State.
“Before I decided to run for office, I talked it over with friends and family,” Lipe said. “But the decision to run was made much easier knowing there was widespread grassroots support for my campaign throughout the community.”
Donations to Lipe’s campaign ranged from $5 to $250, with an average donation of less than $50. These small-dollar donations are powering Lipe’s campaign and reflect his goal of representing the families of the Utica/Rome area, not big donors from Albany or New York City.
Lipe, who has received the endorsement of the local Working Families Party, is also seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party. The Democratic primary will be held on June 23rd.
Jon Lipe has spent his career in public service, working to build a better future for families in the Mohawk Valley. Over the past twenty years, he has worked for Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, Anthony Brindisi, and John Mannion. If elected, Lipe will fight to protect healthcare access, lower energy costs, and promote local economic growth. Lipe lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children.
The 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome, as well as the towns of Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown. It is currently represented by Democrat Marianne Buttenschon, who is retiring this year after four terms in office.
More information is available at www.lipeforassembly.com.
PRESS RELEASE - Feb 1, 2026
Contact: 315-220-0409
Jon Lipe, Aide to Congressmen Mannion and Brindisi, Announces Run for 119th Assembly District
Utica — On Sunday, February 1st, Jon Lipe, a Whitesboro resident and aide to Congressmen John Mannion and Anthony Brindisi, announced his candidacy for the 119th Assembly District. He made the announcement at the Irish Cultural Center in west Utica in front of a crowd of over 100 supporters.
“This campaign is about the future: Building a Mohawk Valley where our children want to stay; where there are good-paying jobs, where young couples can afford to get married, buy a house, and have children,” Lipe said. “Where household expenses like your energy bill are affordable. Where grandma and grandpa are within driving distance. Where we have plenty of doctors and specialists in the area and health care is affordable for all.”
Incumbent assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon announced last month that she will not seek re-election this year. The 119th Assembly District includes the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the towns of Floyd, Marcy, Deerfield, and Whitestown.
“Jon Lipe comes from the working class and knows how to stand up and fight for the working people of the Mohawk Valley,” said Pat Costello, past President of the Central New York Labor Council, who introduced Lipe at the event. “We need someone in Albany to stand up for us and Jon’s our guy.”
Jon Lipe was born in Rome and grew up in the town of Floyd. Over his career, he’s worked for Republican Congressman Sherwood Boehlert and Democratic Congressmen Anthony Brindisi and John Mannion. He currently lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children.
Lipe is seeking the Democratic ballot line for the November election. Local residents can learn more by visiting LipeForAssembly.com.
