Wayne County Democrats have lined up behind three candidates for Congress and the State Legislature ahead of the 2026 election.
The Wayne County Democratic Committee voted during its general monthly meeting in Lyons on February 24 to endorse Alissa Ellman for U.S. House District 24, Scott Comegys for State Senate District 54, and Joseph Lamanna for State Assembly District 130.
Ellman, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, later worked as a teacher for underprivileged youths while raising her daughters in Lockport. In 2025, she worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs helping veterans secure benefits when she was fired by Elon Musk during cuts made by DOGE.
She later organized town halls focused on Claudia Tenney’s votes in Washington, D.C. After months without a response from Tenney, Ellman decided to run for Congress.
Comegys, an alpaca farmer, healthcare worker, and community organizer, has taken part in local and state politics since 2018. He and his wife moved to Palmyra in 2006 to start their farm while he worked for the University of Rochester and pursued a degree in Sustainability.
He said he entered politics after seeing what he described as worsening opportunities in the Finger Lakes region due to a lack of good-paying jobs, limited investment and access to capital, high living costs, and representation in Albany not addressing those concerns in practical ways, “resulting in the region being left behind as the state moves forward.”
Comegys said his goal as state senator is to ensure everyone in the region is “empowered to successfully live the lives they choose as their genuine selves with dignity, prosperity, security, and justice” and “for the region to be included in the work that New York State does to move forward.”
Comegys also serves as chairperson of the Wayne County Democratic Committee. He recused himself from the endorsement discussion and vote, which Vice-Chairperson Kenan Baldridge conducted.
Lamanna brings more than three decades of experience as an engineer, labor leader, and local public servant. He and his wife have lived in Williamson for the past 10 years.
He said “the future of communities like ours depends on representatives who understand local economies, respect working people, and approach public service with competence rather than ideology.” He is running for the State Assembly “to bring practical, steady, and accountable leadership to Albany, rooted in the realities of Upstate New York.”
Speaking for the committee, Comegys said, “The Wayne County Democratic Committee has always supported candidates who we feel best exemplify the values that we support. These candidates share our values and commitment and genuinely want to serve the people of Wayne County. With them we can continue to promote values of working together, protecting our rights, and strengthening our communities. As we are experiencing a time of great anxiety and uncertainty with regards to our government and political systems, the people of Wayne County deserve candidates rooted in those values.”
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