Jon Lipe

Jon Lipe earned a high school diploma from Holland Patent High School. Lipe earned a bachelor's degree from American University in 2007. Lipe's career experience includes working as a policy advisor. [1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised here in the Mohawk Valley, Jon has spent his career fighting to build a better future for our community. He has worked for leaders of both parties, including Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert and Anthony Brindisi, fighting on behalf of our veterans, farmers, first responders, small businesses, and schools. Jon has a proven record of standing up for us when it matters most.

Now Jon is running to take over for the retiring Marianne Buttenschon and ensure Oneida County still has a strong, independent voice in the Assembly.

Jon and his wife Kelli are raising their two boys right here. In office, Jon will fight to lower energy costs, protect our healthcare, and grow local jobs so the next generation can build their future close to home. Jon will always put the Mohawk Valley first.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Jon will fight to protect our healthcare. As medical costs continue to skyrocket, Jon will fight to protect our hospitals and expand healthcare access for our families.Jon will lower energy costs. As utility bills and the price of gas and heating oil break our family budgets, Jon will work to get our state’s energy policies back on track.Jon will grow local jobs. He will protect our families from tax hikes, make it easier for small businesses to succeed, and stand up to Albany to make sure Oneida County always gets our fair share.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare, veterans’ care, energy policy, mental health, agriculture, and public safety.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

The best representatives our area has had include RoAnn Destito, Anthony Brindisi, Sherwood Boehlert, Richard Hanna, and Marianne Buttenschon. They all were willing to put party aside and do what is best for the people of their district. They were unafraid to work with leaders of the other party to get things done for the Mohawk Valley.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the ideal elected official must represent all the people in his area — not a single party, or an ideology, or those in power. For this Assembly District, my bosses will be the 120,000 people who call this district home. My office will be open to all and I will always put the Mohawk Valley first.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First, my job will be to represent our area in the state legislature. It will be my job to be our voice when the Democratic majority makes policy decisions or writes the state budget. It’ll be my responsibility to make sure the Mohawk Valley is not shut out of decisions made on the state level.

Second, my job will be to help the people of the district navigate the state bureaucracy. My staff and I will always be available to help with Medicaid issues, veterans programs, small businesses development programs, tax problems, and everything else that touches the state government. Furthermore, given my experience on the federal level, I will also assist folks with federal issues by working with our Members of Congress and Senators.

Third, I will be open and accessible to all. So far this year I have hosted six public town hall meetings around the district. They have been free and open to the public, where anyone could grab and seat and ask me any questions they’d like. I will continue to host these town hall meetings when I am in office, in addition to attending and hosting other events around the area.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe in a strong legislature and a weaker executive. Members of the legislature are closer to the people they serve can stop too much power from being placed in one person. I would like to see NYS government be reoriented to give more power to the legislature, especially regarding the state budget.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

In the coming years the legislature will need to tackle healthcare access, energy production and costs, and economic development. I’ll be focusing on those issues to build a better future in the Mohawk Valley for the next generation.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is the only way to make lasting change and improve things for the next generation. I look forward to working with Republican colleagues in the Assembly and the State Senate to advance common sense ideas that will help families across the region.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Local elected officials, League of Conservation Voters, several unions including NYS AFL-CIO, CNY Labor Council, NYSUT, IBEW Local 43 & Local 2032, UFCW Local One, 1199 SEIU, NYSNA, and others.