ITHACA, N.Y.—Kris Haines-Sharp has announced her intention to seek a full term on Common Council, two months into her term on council as a vacancy appointee.
Haines-Sharp is seeking the two-year term in the newly-drawn Second Ward. Aryeal Jackson also announced her campaign for the two-year seat earlier this week, while incumbent Ducson Nguyen has announced that he is seeking re-election to the separate four-year seat, though this will be his final term if successful.
She was appointed to council by Mayor Laura Lewis on Feb. 1, 2023 after a unanimous vote from fellow council members. Haines-Sharp filled the vacancy on council created when Lewis was sworn in as mayor after winning the November election.
“I raised my family here and have dug deep roots in this place I call my home,” Haines-Sharp said. “This Common Council bid is the culmination of my years as a parent, community member, teacher and school administrator. I have been privileged to connect and work with a wide range of community and city organizations and services.”
Haines-Sharp, formerly the assistant principal at New Roots Charter School, has only been on council for a month, meaning there is not much of a voting track record to assess ahead of her run for a full term. She currently represents the Fifth Ward, though her residence will fall within the Second Ward under the new district lines.
Since being appointed, Haines-Sharp has served on the City Administration Committee, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Committee, the Community Housing Development Fund Oversight Committee and is a liaison to the GIAC board for Common Council, according to her announcement.
As she mentioned in her initial interview with fellow alderpersons during the appointment process, Haines-Sharp said she values dialog and finding equal footing through transparency. She wants to prioritize fulfilling the Reimagining Public Safety recommendations and the Ithaca Green New Deal.
“I am running because I want Ithaca to be a city where residents are able to live long term, young people are meaningfully engaged and heard, and city workers are supported for their commitment to a vibrant and well-functioning Ithaca,” Haines-Sharp said in her press release.