Hero background image

By providing your telephone number, you consent to receive text messages. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply “STOP” to opt-out & “HELP” for help. View Privacy Policy for more info.

2025

Chemung County

Local Election Candidates

Photo of Endorser

Dan Cain - running for Elmira City Court Judge

Attorney

On February 11, 2025, Dan Cain announced his candidacy for Elmira City Court Judge. Dan is a life long resident of Chemung County who attended college at SUNY Geneseo and law school at Temple University. Dan has 19 years of experience as an attorney in Elmira, with a broad expertise, ranging from real estate, wills and estates, and guardianships to Family Court matters such as adoptions and representing both parents and children. His extensive background also includes work in City Court, defending clients, handling landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and serving as a part-time Assistant Corporation Counsel. Dan currently is a court attorney for Judge Rich in Chemung County Court. He's held positions with Sayles & Evans Law firm, and with the Buck, Danaher, Ryan and McGlenn Law firm.

Dan is married to his wife Yada, and they have 4 children. He is the son of John & Marilyn Cain, a retired Notre Dame High School teacher and a long time nurse, whom he says have provided him with a roadmap to live a life of purpose that seeks to help other people. He's has been involved with the Chemung County Habitat for Humanity and the Josh Palmer Fund...and he's asking for your vote in the local election.

Photo of Endorser

Sebastian Mathews - running for Horseheads Town Council

Candidate

I’m Sebastian Mathews, and I’m running for the Horseheads Town Council as a Democrat. I believe in building a strong, diverse community that will make our town stronger together. I aim to bring a fresh, younger perspective while still addressing the needs of our town as a whole.

Although I am young, I am ambitious and determined to make a positive difference in my community. Having grown up here, Horseheads is my hometown, and I believe I can contribute to its betterment and the well-being of its residents. I have also been a member of Elmira Youth Court for several years, where I’ve helped several young individuals find better pathways in life.

I am focused on improving the areas that significantly impact our lives, such as our parks, roads, and schools. I believe in the power of individual voices and the strength of our community as a whole. I want to share my passion for this town with you and help us create a better future for our families, friends, and children. If you live in the town of Horseheads, I hope you'll vote for me!

Photo of Endorser

Miriam Osorio - running for Horseheads Town Council

Nurse

I am Miriam Osorio, I live in Horseheads, and I'm a candidate for the Town of Horseheads Council. I have an Associate degree in Liberal Arts, and a Sciences and a Bachelors degree in Nursing. I've worked with Public Allies, a part of AmeriCorps and have worked and cared for adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for close to 13 years. As a member of the Town of Horseheads, I will work on job creation opportunities, such as bringing more kid friendly businesses like Jump Zone, Chuck E Cheese, and possibly others. Furthermore, I will strive to get resolutions for Housing; such as Zoning and Eminent Domain. I continue to work to achieve solutions to childcare issues affecting the families in the town of Horseheads and Chemung County. I'm currently working with the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to open a new childcare center in Chemung County which will create jobs, and enable hospitals, nursing homes, and group homes to hire people who can work evenings and overnight shifts. Currently, there's a great need for people to fill these time slots at local hospitals, nursing Homes, and group homes. But, those who wish to work these shifts cannot due to the lack of available childcare. I look forward to bringing solutions to this problem, and other needs for Horseheads, and I'm asking for your vote.

Photo of Endorser

Ira Manhoff - running for Southport Town Council

Candidate

My name is Ira Manhoff, and I’m a candidate for one of the two Southport Town Board seats. I grew up in Westbury, NY, and moved here from Clifton, NJ. We found our dream home in Pine City, and I want to contribute to this great community. I am a member of the Southern Tier Interfaith Council, the Chemung County Historical Society, the Chemung County Democratic Committee, and participate with Park Church and Congregation Kol Ami. I am a retired member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, with a 20 year career in film editing. That was followed by 10 years in sales and merchandising in the pet food industry. After attending the Southport Town Board meetings, I feel I can help bring some positive changes that can better address problems facing our community. I want to bring more accountability, responsiveness, and transparency to the Board so that they can better serve everyone, like live streaming meetings for those who can’t attend in person. It  seems as though too many decisions are being made by the few for the many.  Let’s increase the voice of our residents in deciding what direction Southport goes in the future. I hope to earn your support in the coming election. Please let me know what issues you would like to see the Board address by emailing me at: irriman@verizon.net.

Photo of Endorser

Jimmy Russell - running for Southport Town Council

Manager Copy Express

My name is Jimmy Russell, and I’m running for one of the two Southport Town Board seats to bring real solutions and fresh insight to Southport. Born and raised in the Bronx, I moved to Chemung County in 2013. I married my wife Jennifer in 2022 and I’ve built a career as a manager at Copy Express and have experience in the nursing field. I’ve been deeply involved in my community organizing, and assisting my local Democratic committee. I see the challenges facing Southport, and I know we can do better. With a problem- solving approach and a commitment to positive change, I will work to ensure our town moves forward in the right direction. It’s time for leadership that listens, acts, and delivers for the people. I look forward to earning your support and working together to make Southport a better place for all.

Announcements

March 25, 2025

Trivia Night

Get ready for five exciting rounds of trivia, ending with a high-stakes final question where you can wager it all! Whether you're a trivia master or just in it for fun, we've got a mix of easy and challenging questions to keep everyone engaged.

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! We’ll have 12 random drawings throughout the night—each lucky winner gets a plant! Plus, if your team takes 1st or 2nd place, every member will win a free plant!

Cost: Just $5 per player Teams: Up to 6 players per team (or you can play solo!)

Food & Drinks: Available for purchase

Tickets: $5.00 per player at the door

Don’t miss out on a night of fun, food, and friendly competition—all while supporting a great cause! See you there!

Tuesday, March 25th, 6 pm at the Starlite Room 3018 Lake Rd, in Elmira

Announcement photo

CCDC Monthly Meeting

CCDC March Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Usually we hold our meetings the 2nd Tuesday of each month, but we collecting petitions at the last possible point for candidates who have decided to run. Join us as we discuss other strategies to resist this authoritarian government.

Announcement photo

Announcing:

The CCDC Book Club

We're starting the CCDC Book Club. "Tyrants view educated citizens as their greatest enemy." Let's read relevant books that speak to the urgency of our times, and discuss what we've learned together. Our first pick is "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "A 'bracing' guide for surviving and resisting America's turn towards authoritarianism, from "a rising public intellectual unafraid to make bold connections between past and present" (The New York Times)" First meeting will be held Thursday, 5:30 pm, April 3, 2025 at the CCDC Headquarters, 110 N. Main Street, Elmira.

Announcement photo

Saturday April 5, 2025

Hands Off Protest

Remove, Reverse, Reclaim!

On Saturday, April 5th we must stop Trump and Musk's illegal billionaire power grab. This is a national effort to remove corrupt politicians from office, reverse the damage, and reclaim our democracy. Locally, we are meeting at Centerway Square (1 East Market St. Corning, NY, 14830) at 12pm to peacefully protest this illegal billionaire power grab.


50 Protests. 50 States. 1 Movement

Announcement photo

Seeking School board candidates

Actively Seeking Candidates for area School Board seats

We're seeking candidates who are interested in running for upcoming seats on the Elmira City Schools, the Elmira Heights and the Town of Horseheads School Boards. Being a School Board member is a way to be actively involved in our community. You'd make decisions that would improve our community's youth, and offset the damage being done by the dismantling of the Dept. of Education. Want to make a difference that will impact today & the future? Start here! If interested, send an email to:chemungdems@gmail.com, and we'll help you begin the process.

Announcement photo

Seeking Legislative candidates

Seeking Legislative Candidates for 2026

Yes, we're seeking candidates now, in 2025 because a legislative candidate would need to familiarize themselves with the way the legislature works, attend meetings, review agendas/minutes and past videos, AND be committed to working for the benefit of the people of Chemung County. This FB post is in response to a statement by a sitting Legislator, who, when asked by his constituents to please reach out to our Congressional Representative for the 23rd district, for a person-to-person Town Hall meeting to explain why he voted for the 2025 Budget cuts that would eliminate Medicaid for Chemung County residents , said this. We think Chemung County Voters need options! Interested? Email us at chemungdems@gmail.com and let's explore the options together!

Announcement photo

Sign a petition

Candidate Petition Time

It's Candidate Petition time! Through March, the brave and courageous individuals who have stepped forward to campaign for elected office will be visiting registered Democrats throughout Chemung County asking for your signature so that they can be listed as a candidate on the 2025 election ballot. Please be courteous and give them just a moment of your time and sign their petition. The only way we'll be able to change the current political state, is to have candidates willing to run. Give them your endorsement and help get them into office. Don't want to wait to sign? You can visit our HQ at 110 N. Main Street in Elmira and sign on their petition there.

Announcement photo

The discussion continues

P25; The Comic Book Version

Seth Meyer released a version of Project 2025 in comic book form. He's gathered award winning illustrators together to make a series of comics to explain some of the P25 agenda. They feel you shouldn’t have to read the P25 monstrosity. It’s more than fifty times as long as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution…combined. Project 2025 is longer because it’s a detailed plan to shut you up, and shut you out. Read it. (link on our Stop Project 2025 page)

Announcement photo

Organize and Take Action!

Constitutional Crises!!!

It's not too late to stop the coup d'é·tat of America! Elon Musk had 6 young computer geeks between the ages of 18 & 24 install hard drives inside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Treasury Department and the General Services Administration (GSA). This is the largest data breach in US history. Elon Musk is not an elected official. The Dept of DOGE is NOT a government created agency approved by Congress. This is extremely problematic and not what anyone voted for. Tell your elected official that Musk, a billionaire who was not born in this county, should not have access to these records. Find your elected officials contact information here. Use the 5 Calls.org app to make 5 calls each day to our elected officials.

Join the CCDC in our efforts to resist the destruction of our democracy!

We’re grateful for your donations!

Contributions through ActBlue are not deductible as charity contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes!

sign up to

Get Involved

By providing your telephone number, you consent to receive text messages. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply “STOP” to opt-out & “HELP” for help. View Privacy Policy for more info.

photo (generic)