2026 New York State Senate District 52 Candidates

2026 New York State Senate District 52 Candidates Categories: News 2026 New York State Senate District 52 Candidates By Gabriella Dearden, Staff Writer October 14, 2026 Sofia Fitzgerald Mike Bolles, Republican, and Lea Webb, Democrat, are the candidates for New York State Senate District 52. Mike Bolles, Republican Mike Bolles, a Republican United States Army veteran, is running against Democrat Lea Webb for New York State Senate District 52. Bolles first enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17, then reenlisted in the Army after assisting as a paramedic at ground zero following 9/11. Bolles served in the Army for a total of 22 years. He went on to become a firefighter–paramedic with the Binghamton Fire Department and served an additional 22 years, being elected seven consecutive times as a labor member by the Binghamton Firefighters Local 729 IAFF labor union. Bolles retired in 2015 and created the brand Triple 1st Response, an online clothing retailer that prides itself on being made in America.  In his campaign press release from March 2, Bolles said he aims to increase affordability for families by lowering taxes and the cost of living. Bolles said in the release that New York families have especially been affected by rising costs.  “We have the highest taxes in the country,” Bolles said in the release. “We’re all paying more for less. I’ve seen enough. I’m ready to serve again to restore real affordability.”  Bolles also seeks to bolster public safety and boost support for first responders in an effort to keep communities safe. Bolles said working as a firefighter means having to make quick decisions that impact people’s lives forever. Lea Webb, Democrat Lea Webb, a Democrat New York State Senator, is running for reelection against Republican Mike Bolles for New York State Senate District 52. Webb, a Binghamton native, got her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Binghamton University. Webb said that after college, she got involved in helping candidates run at state and local levels. Webb eventually ran herself and got elected to Binghamton City Council. Webb was first elected to serve District 52 as State Senator in 2022. According to the New York State Senate website, if reelected, Webb would continue to represent Tompkins, Cortland and sections of Broome County. Webb said she also wants to ease the problem of healthcare affordability.  “Healthcare continues to be a challenge in terms of affordability and access,” Webb said. “I chair women’s issues in the Senate, and so a lot of the legislative measures we’ve advanced through that committee have focused on issues around maternal and reproductive health,” Webb said. Webb, who was an educator at Binghamton University before working in the Senate, also said she wants to focus attention on education at all stages. Webb said she has helped increase accessibility to early education like universal pre-K. While a part of the Senate Higher Education Committee, one of her bills raised the scholarship for Tuition Assistance Program recipients from $500 to $1,000. “I think it’s important in terms of policy advancement that we look at … how do we, as a state, further expand upon the opportunity to have research funding more available from the state for our respective colleges and universities, [and] looking at ways to address the affordability gap when it comes to access to higher education,” Webb said.  View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment Tags: election edition New York State Senate District 52 Donate to The Ithacan $1,925 $3,000 Contributed Our Goal Your donation will support The Ithacan's student journalists in their effort to keep the Ithaca College and wider Ithaca community informed. Your contribution will go toward covering our annual website hosting costs and supplementing other expenses, including travel to conferences. Donate More to Discover More in News Trump rallies midterm support and elicits protest in Syracuse 2026 New York Attorney General candidates 2026 candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York 2026 New York State Assembly District 125 Candidate 2026 candidates for NY Congressional District 19 2026 New York State Comptroller candidates About the Contributor Sofia Fitzgerald, Assistant Design Editor