Assemblyman Al Stirpe won the race on Tuesday night for the New York State Assembly’s 127th District against challenger Tim Kelly.
Stirpe, a Democrat, had won 60.3% of the vote with 100% of the vote counted. Kelly collected 39.7%.
The assemblyman unofficially declared himself the victor while speaking to a Central Current reporter at the Onondaga County Democratic Committee’s watch party in downtown Syracuse earlier in the night.
“I think we’re in good shape, as are the rest of the delegation, both the Assembly and the Senate,” Stirpe said. “Now the county legislature has a supermajority. This is going to be an historic night, I think.”
At the time, Stirpe had not heard from Kelly about a potential concession.
The 127th District includes Cicero, Clay, Cazenovia, North Syracuse and Manlius.
Stirpe will serve his tenth term in Albany. Stirpe had defeated Kelly, a Republican, in 2024, as well, winning 56% of the district’s vote.
A blue wave will allow Democrats to “continue to try to plug holes that the federal government created,” Stirpe said.
Immigration and affordability were some of the biggest issues that Republicans faced before encountering a nationwide blue sweep.
“Even the Trump administration is seeing that the tactics they’re using and what they’re trying to do is not working, it’s come back on them,” Stirpe told Central Current. “They talked about murderers, rapists, and terrorists, and instead they’re arresting cooks, dishwashers, nannies, gardeners, people that are actually doing something for society and working hard in jobs that a lot of U.S. citizens don’t want to do.”
Stirpe was first elected to the 127th District in 2006. He served as an assemblyman until 2010 when he lost his re-election bid. In 2012, he ran again and won the seat, serving as the district’s representative ever since.
Stirpe serves as the chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry. He is also part of the Agriculture, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and Higher Education committees.
Kelly currently works as Onondaga County’s director of lead initiatives. He has previously served as the chair for the Town of Manlius Zoning Board.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
