ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Cortland County legislator Beau Harbin has announced he is entering the Democratic primary race for Barbara Lifton's New York State Assembly seat.
He is the the fourth person to join the race.
Harbin said he is running to maintain Lifton’s legacy of progressive leadership for rural central New York.
His campaign will focus on rural education funding, an expansion of rural broadband access, and universal healthcare.
Harbin said the district needs a strong advocate to bring a greater share of the state budget resources come into the area.
Harbin joined the Cortland County legislature in 2018.
Barbara Lifton recently announced she will not seek re-election in the 125th Assembly district. The district covers Tompkins County and parts of Cortland County.
Harbin is the first person from Cortland County to enter the race. The other three announced candidates are all from Tompkins County. They are Ithaca Alderman and Lifton staff member Seph Murtagh, Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer and Tompkins County Legislator Anna Kelles.