Rachel Barnhart is in…she has confirmed for WXXI News that she is running for Rochester Mayor this year, and will make the official announcement on Monday afternoon.
Barnhart is a former TV reporter and anchor who ran unsuccessfully in a Democratic primary last September against Assemblyman Harry Bronson.
She says her platform will outline what she calls a “bold new vision” for Rochester in an effort to grow the local economy and reduce poverty.
This sets up a likely three-way primary for Mayor. Incumbent Lovely Warren has not officially announced yet, but her supporters have responded to the recent announcement from former city police chief and current Monroe County Legislator James Sheppard that he will also run as a Democrat this September.
Since party registration in Rochester is strongly Democratic, winning a Democratic primary is often tantamount to winning the November election.
