Broome County Dems, GOP Open Bids to Fill 123rd NY Assembly Seat

Key takeaways

• Lupardo’s retirement: New York Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, who has represented Broome County in the 123rd Assembly District for 22 years, will not seek reelection in November.
• Wide candidate search: Both Broome County Democrats and Republicans will interview a slate of candidates to replace her in the coming weeks.
• Expected nominees: Democrats have names like Dan Norton, Dan Livingston, and Nick Libous; Republicans are eyeing Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, or a local law enforcement official.
• Policy focus: Lupardo wants to protect farmland from being repurposed for green energy projects while advancing solar development to meet energy goals.
• Local political shift: Broome County has trended more purple in recent years, influencing candidate strategy and messaging.

Table of contents

Background and context

New York Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, a longtime Democrat who has represented Broome County in the 123rd Assembly District for 22 years, announced she will not seek reelection in November. The district includes parts of the Southern Tier, including the city of Binghamton and the towns of Vestal and Union. Lupardo, 71, told Spectrum News 1 that after 11 terms, it’s time to slow down and said she plans to return to SUNY Binghamton to teach and work with community nonprofits, while keeping one active year left in Albany to push unfinished bills.

Lupardo chairs the Assembly Agriculture Committee and has signaled a desire to broker a compromise that protects prime farmland from being diverted to solar projects while still supporting solar development to meet energy goals. “That’s just my personal preference to just take it a little bit easier,” she said. “All of my friends are retired and they’ve been begging me to slow down a little bit. But I’m not going away, that’s for sure.” Lupardo’s balance of pragmatism and experience has earned her cross-aisle respect, even as Broome County grows more politically mixed over time.

Potential candidates

Democrats have already fielded names such as Binghamton attorney Dan Norton, former Binghamton city council member Dan Livingston, and Nick Libous—the son of former state Senator Tom Libous—as possible contenders to carry Lupardo’s legacy forward.

On the Republican side, chatter has centered on Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame and recently elected Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, with speculation that a local law enforcement official could also be in the mix. Lupardo cautioned that Broome County residents will prioritize integrity, experience, and fairness over party labels in this important race.

Party dynamics and statements

Broome County Republican Committee chair Benji Federman acknowledged Lupardo’s leadership but emphasized a desire for change in Albany: “In the Southern Tier, we are starved for economic development, change in energy policy. And so that is not going to change with electing another Democrat.” He said the GOP would interview multiple prospects in the coming weeks but aims to coalesce around a single candidate. Democrats, meanwhile, expressed confidence in selecting a successor who can reflect Lupardo’s legacy and serve Broome County residents with fairness.

Lupardo also remarked on the values guiding her choice, stressing that constituents value “integrity, who’s smart, who has experience and will make fair decisions that benefit everybody.” The dynamic between the parties in this purple-leaning county will shape the primary landscape and the general election as 2026 unfolds.

What happens next

With Lupardo stepping aside, Democrats and Republicans will begin interviewing candidates to fill the 123rd Assembly seat in the weeks ahead. The party committees will weigh candidates’ records, governance experience, and district alignment. While Lupardo intends to remain active this year to shepherd remaining bills—especially those tied to agriculture and EMS stabilization—the outcome of the race will determine who will represent Broome County as the community negotiates development, farmland protection, and energy goals for years to come.

Local implications for Broome County

The evolving political landscape in Broome County—moving from a reliably Democratic stronghold to a more competitive, purple tone—means that the next representative will need a strong local footing and cross-partisan appeal. Economic development, energy policy, and EMS funding remain high priorities for residents who seek reliable governance and steady progress on issues that affect daily life.

Conclusion

Lupardo’s retirement sets the stage for a consequential race in the 123rd Assembly District. As both parties assemble a slate of candidates, voters will assess who best balances experience, community trust, and practical policy paths like farmland protection and sustainable energy. The coming weeks will reveal which candidates can translate Lupardo’s legacy into a continued, productive voice for Broome County.

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