ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The Ithaca Common Council has another candidate. 

Deborah Fisher announced Tuesday a run in the 5th Ward. Fisher, who moved to Ithaca in 2022, says she has a ‘deep track record’ of working together to craft policies and programs.

“Ithaca can address its affordability crisis by leaning into its progressive values and using them to do good work! I want to incentivize the development of affordable housing that is grounded in community; strengthen tenants’ rights; implement a more progressive tax and fee structure for the city; and get the bigger institutional players like Cornell to participate in making Ithaca a great, affordable place to live,” Fisher said.

“We are witnessing some disappointing, self-preserving Democratic leadership in the face of tyranny. The antidote is for local leaders with big ideas who don’t have a career stake in party politics to stand up, connect with voters, and enact bold, practical, progressive policy that helps people who are struggling. If elected, I promise to ambitiously respond to the gravity of this moment, in all its threat and possibility,” Fisher added.

Fisher is the chief instructor of Ithaca Aikikai, a dojo on South Cayuga Street.

Also seeking to represent the 5th Ward is therapist GP Zurenda and Cornell student Hannah Shvets. The Democratic primary is on June 24th.