ITHACA, N.Y. —  20 former and current City of Ithaca Alderpersons have put their support behind current Ward 2 Alderperson Seph Murtagh in his bid for the Democratic nomination for New York State Assembly District 125.

“We are current and past members of the City of Ithaca Common Council. We are lucky to have many talented people running to replace Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton as the next representative of the 125th Assembly District, but we believe Seph Murtagh is the one candidate who stands out in the field. Seph has been a talented and hardworking representative on the Ithaca Common Council for the last 8 years,” the group said in a joint statement Wednesday. “He also has 5 years of state-level experience working as Communications Coordinator for Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton. In that role, he has built relationships with community leaders across the 125th Assembly District. These are very challenging times for municipalities, and it’s critical that we elect a leader who can be a strong advocate for local governments. We endorse Seph Murtagh to fill that role.”

Murtagh is one of the seven Democrats vying for the nomination after current Assemblymember Barbara Lifton announced that she would not seek a tenth term earlier this year. He has served as Alderperson for Ward 2 since 2012. He also chairs the Planning and Economic Development Committee and is one of the city’s alternate acting mayors.

“These endorsements are especially meaningful to me because they come from my current and past colleagues,” said Murtagh. “The ability to work collaboratively is such a big part of being a successful representative and I’m proud of my reputation of listening to others and finding common ground. I’m ready to bring these skills to Albany so that our region has a strong voice at the table.”

The list includes nearly all current members of council, with the exception of Cynthia Brock from Ward 1, who has endorsed Jordan Lesser. Mayor Svante Myrick, who represented Ward 4 on Common Council before being elected mayor, is lending his support to Murtagh for a second time, after endorsing him in late February.

The full list can be found below:

  • George McGonigal, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 1
  • Ducson Nguyen, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 2
  • Donna Fleming, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 3
  • Rob Gearhart, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 3
  • Graham Kerslick, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 4
  • Steve Smith, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 4
  • Deb Mohlenhoff, Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5
  • Laura Lewis Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5
  • Paulette Manos, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 1
  • Eric Rosario, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 2
  • Michelle Berry, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 2
  • Tracy Farrell, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 2
  • Sue Cummings, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 2
  • Ellen McCollister, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 3
  • Svante Myrick, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 4
  • Joni Spielholz, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 4
  • Chris Proulx, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5
  • Dan Cogan, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5
  • Josephine Martell, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5
  • Michael Decatur, former Council Member, City of Ithaca, Ward 5

Murtagh has also picked up the endorsements of the Ithaca chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as well as former chair of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee, Irene Stein.

June’s crowded primary field will also include former Legislative Counsel to Barbara Lifton, Jordan Lesser, Cortland’s Lisa Hoeschele, Tompkins County Legislator Anna Kelles, Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cortland County Legislator Beau Harbin, and local attorney Sujata Gibson, who have all met the petition threshold to appear on the primary ballot.