Phillips Leads Lemondes in 126th Assembly Race
Democratic challenger Ian Phillips holds a narrow lead over Republican incumbent John Lemondes with absentee ballots still outstanding.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic challenger Ian Phillips held 50.3% of the vote, or 27,055 votes, against 47.81% for Republican incumbent John Lemondes, with 94 of 104 districts reporting as of midnight. Phillips led by 1,340 votes while uncounted absentee ballots and votes in Elbridge remained.
Why it matters
The race is competitive after Lemondes won the same seat by 7,322 votes in 2024, so the outcome will shape the 126th Assembly District's representation in New York State. Remaining absentee ballots in Cayuga and Onondaga counties could still shift the result.
The unofficial returns show a 1,340-vote gap, a far narrower margin than Lemondes' 7,322-vote victory in 2024. Some 1,064 absentee ballots across Cayuga and Onondaga counties remained uncounted when the figures were reported.
The players
Ian Phillips
Democratic and Working Families Party candidate for the 126th Assembly District, a former teacher and political organizer for New York State United Teachers.
John Lemondes
Republican and Conservative incumbent in the 126th Assembly District, who previously ran for Congress against Rep. John Mannion.
The details
Phillips, 42, of Auburn, ran on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines and previously worked as a teacher before becoming a political organizer for New York State United Teachers. Lemondes, 61, of LaFayette, ran as the Republican and Conservative candidate after dropping a congressional bid against Rep. John Mannion in January 2026.
Timeline
2024: Lemondes won the 126th Assembly District seat by 7,322 votes.
End of 2025: Lemondes announced plans to run against Rep. John Mannion.
January 2026: Lemondes dropped his congressional bid and sought the Assembly seat instead.
November 4, 2026: Election night results showed Phillips leading with 94 of 104 districts reporting.
Political Context
Lemondes' 55% win in 2024 gave him a comfortable hold on the seat, so Phillips' narrow lead marks a sharp reversal of that margin. The race will be watched for whether the 2024 result reflected a durable Republican advantage in the district.
Voters in the 126th Assembly District will see which candidate represents them once absentee ballots are counted. The final tally will determine the district's state representation.
The takeaway
Close local races can turn on late-counted ballots, so the final certified count matters more than early returns. Readers should watch official county updates before drawing conclusions about the outcome.
Further reading
For more on close contests, see Elections coverage across New York.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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