Robin Alpaugh (Left), Donna Lupardo (Center) and Sophia Resciniti (Right) are vying for the 123rd Assembly District seat in 2022.
VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — Two Republicans have declared their bids for the 123rd Assembly District seat encompassing Binghamton, Vestal and Endicott.
Binghamton City Councilwoman Sophia Resciniti and Robin Alpaugh are looking to unseat nine-term incumbent Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-123).
Robin Alpaugh, a staffer for state Sen. Fred Akshar (R-52), will run for state Assembly in 2022. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
Alpaugh currently serves as a staffer for State Senator Fred Akshar (R-52). He previously worked for Empire State Development, the state-run economic development entity, before taking a position as executive director of the United Way of Broome County.
“I am deeply committed to solving the quality of life issues that matter to Southern Tier families, making our communities safe, bringing economic prosperity to the region,” Alpaugh said during his formal announcement last week. “That’s what I’m fighting for.”
Resciniti made her formal announcement Tuesday. She was joined by several current and former elected officials including Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, Broome County Sheriff David Harder, former Binghamton mayors Rich David and Michael Bucci, as well as Binghamton City Council President Phil Strawn.
Binghamton City Councilwoman Sophia Resciniti is running for the 123rd Assembly District seat. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
“The truth is, on a personal level, as a mother, I’m scared,” Resciniti said. “My kids are leaving. They’re leaving New York state. My kids, and all their friends who practically grew up in my house and I call my own, they’re leaving New York state. Our lifer politicians have failed them.”
Resciniti was elected to her first full term on City Council in 2019. She served as City Council president in 2021.
Campaign finance filings from the state Board of Elections show Resciniti is beginning her campaign with a $50,000 contribution from her husband, Paul Resciniti.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-123) speaking to reporters in Endicott last year. (Vaughn Golden/WSKG)
Lupardo was first elected to the state Assembly in 2004 and has since ascended to chair the chamber’s Agriculture Committee.
Lupardo said she’s looking forward to the race in 2022 and will continue to tout initiatives she’s helped steward in Broome County over her nine terms in the Legislature.
“I’ve been playing long-ball, as they say, for the economic redevelopment and recovery of our area,” Lupardo told WSKG. “So, it gives me a chance to reflect and to really explain to people what I’ve been involved with.”
Campaign finance filings show Lupardo has over $100,000 cash-on-hand going into 2022.
The 123rd Assembly District as proposed by the state Legislature for adoption in 2022. (Credit: NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment)
The 123rd District was largely unchanged in newly drawn legislative maps.