TOMPKINS COUNTY LEADERS ENDORSE STATE SENATE CANDIDATE LEA WEBB “Lea is the right person for the job!” TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK —Today Democratic State Senate candidate Lea Webb announced the endorsements from 21 key Tompkins County leaders for her bid for State Senate District 53. The growing swell of support from the county’s urban, rural and suburban areas puts her in a great position for victory in the upcoming primary election. Endorsements today came from the following leaders: State/County Leaders Emily Adams, Democratic Party State Committeewoman Jim Dennis, Former Councilmember (Ithaca) and County Legislator Anne Koreman, Tompkins County Legislator (Ulysses and Enfield) Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Former County Legislature Chair (Ithaca) Greg Mezey, County Legislator (Dryden) Veronica Pillar, County Legislator (Ithaca) Martha Robertson, Former County Legislature Chair (Dryden) Irene Stein, State Democratic Committee Vice Chair, former Tompkins County Democratic Chair and former Democratic Rural Conference Chair Town Leaders Don Barber, Former Town Supervisor (Caroline) Dominic Frongillo, Former Deputy Town Supervisor (Caroline) Ruth Hopkins, Former Town Board Member (Lansing) Dan Lamb, Deputy Town Supervisor (Dryden) Tim Murray, Deputy Town Supervisor (Caroline) Jim Skaley, Town Board Member (Dryden) Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, Town Board Member (Dryden) Irene Weiser, Former Councilperson (Caroline) Joe Wetmore, Town Board Member (Lansing) Nancy Zahler, Former Town Supervisor (Ulysses) City of Ithaca Leaders Robert Cantelmo, Councilmember Jeff Furman, Former School Board Member Ducson Nguyen, Councilmember The list of endorsements comes right off of a key endorsement from Svante Myrick, former Mayor of Ithaca. Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, former Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature who just retired after 20 years of service, said, “I am so excited to see Lea step up to run for this seat! Such a dynamic, committed public servant will truly represent the community and bring a new voice to Albany, with lived experience and energy to advocate for what our region needs.” “Binghamton gained an important progressive voice when Lea was elected to City Council and I greatly enjoyed working with her,” said Dan Lamb, former aide to Congressman Maurice Hinchey. “I know she will be a tireless advocate for us in Albany and I look forward to having Lea as a partner in state government,” added Lamb, who currently serves as Deputy Supervisor in the Town of Dryden. Irene Stein, Vice Chair of the NYS Democratic Committee, Tompkins County Democratic Committee Chair for 30 years, and former Chair of the Democratic Rural Conference, noted, “It’s critical that our representatives in Albany have experience in governing at the local level. With her eight years on City Council, Lea brings a deep understanding of the local needs and how state and local government should work together to meet those needs.” Lea Webb, Candidate for 53rd Senate District, said "I am so thankful to all of the Tompkins County leaders who have endorsed me today. From day one, I have prioritized coalition-building and bringing urban, suburban and rural communities together and I think this latest slate of endorsements is a clear example of that. I plan to be a representative in Albany who will advocate for Central New York and the Southern Tier residents - all of them, and in doing so, become a reliable and strong partner with my colleagues at all levels of government.” The Democratic Primary is on June 28, 2022. Voters can learn more about Webb’s campaign at leawebb.com About Lea Webb Lea Webb was the first African American and youngest candidate ever elected to the Binghamton City Council, and she is an award-winning activist who has been recognized as one of tomorrow's leaders by Oprah magazine and the White House Project. She has more than 15 years of experience as a Community Organizer leading efforts on various social and environmental justice issues; quality education, health care, access to fresh foods and sustainable jobs. She has passed legislation supporting equal pay for women, the creation of a city based human rights commission, establishing a city wide climate action plan, and other equity based legislation.
A lifelong Southern Tier NY resident, raised in a blue-collar family and proud graduate of public school, Webb is a first generation graduate of SUNY Broome, where she earned a degree in liberal arts and sciences, and Binghamton University, where she earned a degree in neuroscience. Lea is now an educator at Binghamton University, where she develops diversity and inclusion training and programs for faculty, staff, and students to advance its goals of fostering diversity and respect. She is a national trainer with Vote Run Lead, training thousands of women across the country on how to run for elected office. She is a Co-Chair/Co-Founder of the Black Millennial Political Convention and a Founding Board Member of Local Progress. Lea was honored with the President’s Award by the Broome-Tioga Branch of the NAACP for her significant contributions to her community. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2022
CONTACT:Tess McRae, tess@theparksidegroup.com