Long-time Ithaca Realtor Lindsay Lustick Garner is conducting a write-in campaign for the NY Assembly against Anna Kelles. Kelles is the only candidate on the 2024 ballot running both as a Democrat and under the Working Families Party. Kelles also ran unopposed in 2022.
As of Oct. 21, Kelles has raised $69,423 and spent $35,844. Her donors include trial lawyers and labor unions. Among Kelles’ donors are Ithaca trial lawyer Ray Schlather JD ‘76 and Jorge DeFendini ‘22. Incumbent DeFendini lost to a write-in candidate in the November 2023 contest for a Ward 4 Common Council seat.
The 125th Assembly district covers Tompkins County and the area around Cortland, NY.
Garner was interviewed by the Cornell Review. When asked how her write in campaign was going, Garner said, “There is a great community response. It is fabulous to see the response to my discussion of corruption in our area.”
Garner noted “the need to heal our community.” She said, “We need the ability to prosper.” “As a Realtor, Fair Housing is important to me. However, we have apartment operators of government-subsidized housing who allow their apartments to be used to cook crack cocaine.” Garner believes that residents of subsidized housing deserve a safe environment.
Garner will work to see that state funds are used effectively and to cut out abuses of the system.
Garner describes herself as a Democrat “who feels the two-party system is failing us.”
