VoterLens
New York State Assembly District 126
Alfred University—BA; University of Michigan—Teaching Certificate
Data last updated 10/21/2026
Ian Phillips is a former teacher, union leader, and former Auburn school board president running for New York State Assembly District 126 as a Democrat. He lives in Auburn and works as a political organizer with New York State United Teachers; he also previously chaired the Cayuga County Democratic Committee. His campaign biography describes him as a teacher, former Auburn school board president, union organizer, and lifelong Central New Yorker focused on affordability, jobs, education, and environmental issues.
Committee Assignments: No committee assignments available.
Ian Phillips, the Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 126 in 2026, states that healthcare affordability is a priority. His campaign says he supports universal healthcare for New Yorkers, affordable prescription drugs, and lowering healthcare costs as part of his cost-of-living agenda.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Phillips says that, as Assemblyman, he will support universal healthcare for all New Yorkers as part of his cost-of-living platform.
SourcePhillips says he will work to ensure all New Yorkers have access to quality healthcare and affordable prescription drugs.
SourceIn his VOTE411 candidate response for New York Assembly District 126, Phillips listed lowering healthcare and utility costs among his top three priorities if elected.
SourcePhillips's campaign biography identifies a healthcare system that leaves many people behind as one of the major problems motivating his Assembly campaign.
SourceIan Phillips emphasizes rebuilding Central New York's middle class through good-paying union jobs, workforce preparation for technology-related jobs, support for small businesses, and opposition to AI data centers that he argues would raise utility costs without delivering the right kind of local economic development.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Phillips says Central New York needs good-paying union jobs and that he would stand with unions and small businesses rather than subsidize AI companies.
SourcePhillips says he would fight to ensure local residents are trained for new tech-industry jobs and that related infrastructure work creates long-term local employment and a pathway to the middle class.
SourcePhillips states that he supports the Responsible Data Center Development Act and has advocated for the governor to sign it, citing concerns about data-center costs and community impacts despite potential job creation.
SourcePhillips says he is backed by major labor unions and wants to strengthen the middle class, raise wages, lower utility bills, and stand up to large corporations.
SourceIan Phillips, the Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 126, has stated that New York should be welcoming to immigrants and people visiting on student visas.
Specific Actions & Proposals
In a 2026 candidate questionnaire, Phillips said New York should be friendly toward immigrants and people visiting on student visas in response to federal visa changes affecting international STEM students and researchers.
SourceIan Phillips supports expanding low-carbon energy generation, including nuclear power in Oswego County and community or individually owned solar and wind. He opposes large AI data centers in District 126, backs moratorium-style restrictions until they are proven safe and beneficial, and emphasizes clean lakes, drinking water protection, and holding utilities accountable.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Phillips said he supports more low-carbon generation, including nuclear in Oswego County, as well as community and individually owned solar and wind power so residents can control generation and consumption.
SourcePhillips said he supports the Responsible Data Center Development Act and has advocated for the governor to sign it.
SourcePhillips supported the state one-year data-center moratorium and urged local councils in Baldwinsville and Auburn to pass resolutions calling on Governor Hochul to sign the moratorium bill.
SourcePhillips says data centers can raise utility costs, deplete water supplies, and pollute air and water, and that he would support legislation stopping them from being built until proven safe and beneficial.
SourcePhillips called for emergency state investment to reverse runoff impacts, strengthen watershed protections and upgrades, and increase enforcement and penalties for polluters threatening Finger Lakes water quality.
SourceIan Phillips, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 126 in 2026, emphasizes public education, smaller class sizes, fair/full school funding, and expanded free or low-cost before- and after-school programs. He cites his Auburn School Board record, teaching background, and NYSUT organizing work as evidence that he would prioritize public schools in the Assembly.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Phillips states that as Assemblymember he would fight to ensure schools are fully funded and expand access to free or low-cost before- and after-school programs.
SourcePhillips supports smaller class sizes and fair school funding, citing his work as Auburn School Board President and local education advocate.
SourcePhillips cites school board accomplishments including restoring 4th-grade music programs and adding STEM-specialized teachers across grade levels.
SourcePhillips says he will always put public schools first and fight to ensure teachers have the resources they need for students to thrive.
SourceA NYSUT voter guide says Phillips, as former Auburn School Board president, stood up to book-banning attempts while fighting for smaller class sizes, fair funding, and free before- and after-school programming.
SourceIan Phillips has not published a broad criminal-justice platform that I could confirm for New York State Assembly District 126, but he has stated positions on public-safety-adjacent law-enforcement technology and community health/safety. He supports limiting automated license plate reader use to legitimate public-safety purposes with privacy safeguards, and he supports stronger state action, enforcement, and penalties to protect local drinking-water sources from harmful algal blooms.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Phillips said he supports Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter’s efforts to limit ALPR use, keep stored data only for 48 hours, blacklist Flock, and criminalize use of ALPR systems to stalk or track people outside an active criminal investigation.
SourcePhillips called for emergency state investment, watershed protections and upgrades, and increased enforcement and penalties for polluters whose actions threaten local water and public health.
SourceVOTE411 Voter Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/candidate-detail.do?id=73213653Fetched: education, biography, campaign address
Central Current
https://centralcurrent.org/2024-election-qa-ian-phillips-looks-to-flip-nys-assemblys-126th-district/Fetched: age, location, professional background
Central Current
https://centralcurrent.org/2026-election-qa-new-york-state-assembly-126th-district-candidate-ian-phillips/Fetched: location, professional background, office context
New York State Assembly Member Directory
https://www2.nyassembly.gov/mem/?sh=mainFetched: votingRecord
New York State Assembly - John Lemondes District 126
https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=126&sh=officeFetched: votingRecord
New York State Board of Elections - June 23, 2026 Primary Certification
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/04/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-4.30.26-.pdfFetched: votingRecord
Transparency USA - Ian Phillips New York Candidate
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/candidate/ian-phillipsFetched: campaignFinance
Follow the Money | New York City Campaign Finance Board
https://campaignfinanceboard.org/follow-the-moneyFetched: campaignFinance
Ian for CNY News
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/phillips-to-receive-endorsements-of-senators-gonzalez-and-may-following-panel-on-data-centersFetched: endorsements
Planned Parenthood Action
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/uploads/filer_public/b1/1e/b11e9b50-900f-45df-a922-1a3c9feff9a6/2024_ratings_assmb_oct.pdfFetched: endorsements
Scientist Network for Advancing Policy
https://snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/candidates/ny/ian-phillipsFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/on-labor-day-phillips-receives-overwhelming-support-of-organized-laborFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/to-battle-utility-companies-ban-their-donations-to-politicians-like-lemondesFetched: issuePositions
Scientist Network for Advancing Policy - Ian Phillips candidate questionnaire
https://snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/candidates/ny/ian-phillipsFetched: issuePositions
New York State Board of Elections - 2026 Primary Certification
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/05/accessible-june-23-2026-primary-certification-amended-5.13.26_0.pdfFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY campaign website
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/packed-room-for-phillips-town-hall-in-lafayette-ahead-of-thursday-town-hall-in-catoFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/phillips-to-receive-endorsements-of-senators-gonzalez-and-may-following-panel-on-data-centersFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/threat-posed-by-harmful-algal-blooms-demands-leaders-who-will-fight-for-our-lakesFetched: issuePositions
Finger Lakes Daily News
https://www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/local/auburn-ny/ian-phillips-announces-bid-for-state-assembly/Fetched: issuePositions
Scientist Network for Advancing Policy - New York Stance on Science
https://snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/states/nyFetched: issuePositions
Scientist Network for Advancing Policy - Ian Phillips candidate page
https://snapcoalition.org/initiatives/stance-on-science/candidates/ny/ian-phillipsFetched: issuePositions
Ian for CNY - Threat Posed by Harmful Algal Blooms Demands Leaders Who Will Fight for Our Lakes
https://www.ianforcny.com/news/threat-posed-by-harmful-algal-blooms-demands-leaders-who-will-fight-for-our-lakesFetched: issuePositions