A Central New York union leader launched a campaign today Monday for the Democratic nomination to challenge Assemblymember John Lemondes in the November election.

Ian Phillips, 41, a Democrat from Auburn, will be making his second bid to unseat Lemondes, R-LaFayette, in the 126th Assembly District.

Phillips is the regional political organizer for New York State United Teachers and is the former president of the Auburn School Board.

He lost the 2024 election to Lemondes by more than 7,000 votes in a district that spans parts of Onondaga and Cayuga counties.

Phillips told syracuse.com that he decided to campaign for the seat again because he feels that voters want a state lawmaker who will be accountable and focus on their concerns like affordability.

“I feel really strongly that we need term limits,” Pillips said. “We need all kinds of systems in place to hold our elected officials accountable. I think our current assemblyman clearly sees this job as a consolation prize where he can mail it in and not really have to listen to his constituents.”

Lemondes announced Friday that he was dropping his bid for the 22nd Congressional District seat in Central New York and would instead seek a fourth term in the state Assembly.

But this year, Lemondes may face a Republican primary election for the Assembly seat.

Onondaga County Legislator David Knapp, R-LaFayette, said Friday he planned to move forward with his previously announced campaign for the 126th District, despite the decision by Lemondes to seek reelection.

Phillips is the only Democrat to date to kick off a campaign for the Assembly seat.

He launched his campaign Monday along the shore of Skaneateles Lake, with the endorsements of Skaneateles Supervisor Chris Legg and Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino.

Phillips said he will focus his campaign on accountability, affordability and protecting the Finger Lakes.

Phillips began his career in politics as a staffer for former Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse. He later served as campaign manager for John Mannion’s first bid for a state Senate seat in Central New York.

The 126th Assembly District spans the towns of Lysander, Elbridge, Camillus, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Spafford, Otisco, Tully, LaFayette, Pompey and Fabius in Onondaga County. The district also includes parts of Cayuga County including the city of Auburn.

As of Nov. 1, the district has 35,539 registered Republican voters, 29,961 Democrats and 29,942 independent voters who are not enrolled in a political party.