Iris Cain is originally from a small town in the midwest and moved to New York City, which during his time there led a diverse and dynamic career. His background as a regional trainer and fashion makeup artist for a major cosmetic corporation honed his business acumen and analytical skills, managing numerous brands across New York's five boroughs. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, resulting in widespread layoffs in the cosmetic industry, Iris made a bold career change. He pursued a mortuary science education, driven by a vision to promote eco-friendly funerals.

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This career pivot coincided with fulfilling a long-held dream: purchasing and restoring a Victorian funeral home in the historic district of downtown Plattsburgh. Iris was drawn not just to the property's heritage, but also to the untapped potential he saw in Plattsburgh. His connection to the city deepened through research into the property's origins, traced back to a prominent North Country banker and State Senator Feinberg who is held in high regard for helping to gather funding needing to rebuild the now SUNY campus after a fire consumed the property around the 1920s.

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However, Iris soon became aware of several critical issues facing Plattsburgh. He observed a lack of initiative in leveraging the city's geographical advantages and noted problems like an under-utilitized and vacant downtown, lack of affordable housing, negative impacts of student culture on community integrity, limited recreational options for all ages, downtown's deteriorating aesthetics, and a shortage of business diversity.

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Motivated by these challenges, Iris decided to run for mayor as an independent candidate, prioritizing community needs over the agendas of party politics. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he emphasizes the importance of representation in leadership. Iris believes that his feedback-oriented approach and data-driven strategies can guide Plattsburgh towards a more prosperous and inclusive future.