A former Cayuga County legislator is seeking a return to local government, launching an independent campaign for town supervisor in Throop while sharply criticizing local party leadership.
Lydia Patti Ruffini announced she is collecting signatures to secure a place on the ballot, positioning herself as an alternative to what she describes as a flawed local political process.
In her campaign statement, Ruffini took aim at Cayuga County Republican and Conservative committees, accusing them of misrepresenting voters by cross-endorsing a Democratic candidate. She framed the issue as part of a broader concern about transparency and accountability in local government.
Ruffini, who previously served on the Cayuga County Legislature, said her campaign is rooted in increasing public awareness and engagement. She argued that many residents are disconnected from local decision-making, pointing to low attendance at municipal meetings as a key challenge.
She also highlighted her past tenure, saying she regularly raised issues related to government spending, hiring practices, and internal conduct, while working to bring attention to policies she believed were not being fully scrutinized.
Ruffini said she is running on an independent line both to challenge the current political dynamic and to offer voters another option in the race. She is also encouraging others to pursue independent candidacies, particularly in races where candidates are running unopposed.
If successful in securing a ballot line, Ruffini said her goal is to improve local governance and ensure residents have what she described as safe and affordable quality of life in their community.
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