ITHACA, N.Y.—The wave of local political interest continues as Margaret Johnson, a past worker in former New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton’s office, has declared her candidacy for the Town of Ithaca board.
Johnson announced her candidacy earlier this week. She’s running for one of the two seats that will be vacated by outgoing members Tee-Ann Hunter and Pat Leary.
“With the departure of Tee-Ann Hunter, the Town Board is losing an important connection with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter-municipal Organization. If elected, I would be honored to follow in her footsteps, serving as the Town’s representative to the CLWIO, facilitating communication with other municipalities and helping to find resources for implementing lake protection projects.”
Johnson said her legislative focus would be protecting parks, trails and open spaces, preserving the “precious resource of our beautiful lake,” plus guiding the Climate Smart Communities Goals for the town.
“My campaign is about enhancing opportunities and quality of life for all residents of the Town of Ithaca,” she said.
Johnson has lived here since the late 1980s, working at the Cornell University of Government Affairs before moving on to the office of Assemblyman Marty Luster until 2002. She then obtained a graduate degree from Cornell.
Most recently, Johnson served in Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton’s office, working in communications, constituent services and legislative research, splitting her time between Ithaca and Albany.
The Democratic primary is being held June 22.