Tompkins County Legislator Resigns to Fight Cancer

A new Tompkins County legislator is being sought to represent the City of Ithaca, parts of Cornell University’s north campus and upper Collegetown, and parts of the South Hill and Belle Sherman neighborhoods as Henry Granison has announced he will be stepping down.  

The Democrat is resigning October 31 due to intensive treatment for cancer.  

There will be a special election for the remaining three years of his term within 85 days of his resignation. 

Granison announced his resignation during the October 18, 2022 legislative session.  

He was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. 

The Tompkins County Legislature issued a statement announcing the lawmaker’s resignation following the regular meeting. 

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According to the news release, Legislator Granison has served on the Legislature since January 2018.  He serves as the Chair of the County’s Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee, overseeing progress in the internal commitments of the government to equity.  He’s also credited with leading a broader community response to diversion and inclusion in the Ithaca area. 

Granison has also served on the public safety committee, which helped to come up with recommendations for “Reimagining Public Safety” in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020. 

The Democrat’s focus has been on issues surrounding poverty, affordable housing, labor and environmental protection. 

The Third District Legislator said “It has been an honor serving on this Legislature. My colleagues are smart, caring and dedicated.” Of his constituents, Granison said: “I love learning from them and serving them. While my cancer treatment prevents me from completing my term, I am grateful that the good work will continue, both because of my colleagues and my constituents.”