Election Season Begins to Take Shape Across Rochester and Monroe County

Political activity is beginning to intensify across Rochester and Monroe County as candidates prepare for what is expected to be a highly watched 2026 election cycle featuring congressional races, local legislative contests, statewide battles, and growing debate over public safety, housing, taxes, and economic development.

(L to R) Congressman Joe Morelle is expected to face Democratic primary challengers Robin Wilt and Sherita Traywick in the 2026 race for New York’s 25th Congressional District. Republican Virginia McIntyre is expected to run in the general election.

While many local races are still taking shape, several incumbents have already signaled reelection plans, challengers are beginning to emerge, and party organizations are actively preparing for what could become a competitive political season.

The upcoming elections come as Rochester continues grappling with issues including gun violence, housing affordability, school funding, infrastructure concerns, and ongoing debates over development and policing.

New York’s primary election is scheduled for June 23, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3.

Much of the local political attention remains centered on Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, who won reelection in 2025. His administration continues to face scrutiny over public safety, the city budget, housing issues, and economic development initiatives including ROC the Riverway and downtown revitalization projects.

Political observers expect debates around Evans’ leadership to continue shaping Rochester politics, particularly as the city confronts fiscal pressures and questions about policing and neighborhood investment.

Congressional Race Already Drawing Challengers

One of the most closely watched races in the region is expected to be New York’s 25th Congressional District, represented by Democratic Congressman Joseph Morelle.

Morelle, a longtime Rochester-area Democrat and former New York State Assembly member, is seeking reelection after serving in Congress since 2018. Before entering Congress, Morelle spent years as a powerful figure in Albany, including serving as Assembly majority leader.

Morelle is already facing Democratic primary challengers, including former Brighton Town Board member Robin Wilt and former state Senate candidate Sherita Traywick.

Wilt, a progressive Democrat, previously served on the Brighton Town Board and has built a political profile around environmental policy, housing, labor issues, and campaign finance reform. She has previously run for Congress and State Senate and is expected to campaign from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Traywick, a community advocate and founder of Young & Gifted Ministries is a former candidate for State Senate, has focused much of her political messaging on economic inequality, neighborhood investment, education, and grassroots organizing. Supporters view her as an outsider candidate focused on working-class concerns and broader representation within local politics.

On the Republican side, Monroe County Legislator Virginia McIntyre has emerged as the presumptive GOP candidate for the congressional seat. McIntyre, who represents portions of Greece and surrounding suburban communities in the Monroe County Legislature, has positioned herself as a conservative voice on public safety, taxes, government spending, and parental rights issues.

Republicans are expected to emphasize suburban voter concerns surrounding affordability, crime, and economic frustration as part of their strategy in the race.

Because the district includes all of Monroe County and parts of Ontario County, the campaign is expected to draw significant regional attention and could become one of the more active congressional contests in upstate New York.

137th Assembly Race Takes Shape

Demond Meeks has officially launched his 2026 reelection campaign for the 137th Assembly District, and he is expected to face both Democratic and Republican challengers.

The most significant challenger so far is Mercedes Vazquez Simmons, a Democrat who has announced a primary challenge against Meeks. Vazquez Simmons currently serves as vice president of the Monroe County Legislature.

On the Republican side, David Ferris, a Gates small business owner and military veteran, has reportedly filed paperwork to run for the seat.

The 137th District includes much of central Rochester and parts of Gates.

Meeks, a former labor organizer with 1199SEIU, was first elected in 2020 after succeeding longtime Assemblyman David Gantt, who died later that year, and has since become one of Rochester’s more progressive state lawmakers.

Other Rochester-area Assembly races are also beginning to take shape ahead of the 2026 elections. Assemblymember Sarah Clark is seeking reelection in the 136th District, which includes parts of Rochester, Brighton, and Irondequoit. At this point, no major Democratic challenger has emerged, though Republican and Conservative candidates are expected to contest the seat.

In the 138th District, longtime Assemblymember Harry Bronson is also expected to run for another term. Bronson, who represents portions of Rochester, Chili, and Henrietta, remains a prominent figure in local Democratic politics and currently faces no major announced challenger.

Meanwhile, suburban races could draw additional attention this cycle. Assemblymember Jen Lunsford is seeking reelection in the more politically competitive 135th District, covering Pittsford, Penfield, Fairport, and surrounding communities. Republicans are expected to target the district as part of broader efforts to regain ground in Monroe County suburbs.

State Senate Races

Several Rochester-area State Senate races are also expected to play an important role in shaping the region’s political landscape heading into 2026. State Sen. Samra Brouk is expected to seek reelection in the 55th Senate District, which covers much of Rochester and western Monroe County. Brouk has become one of the area’s more prominent progressive lawmakers, focusing heavily on mental health policy, healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and reproductive rights during her time in Albany.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Jeremy Cooney is also anticipated to run for another term in the 56th Senate District, representing portions of Rochester and eastern Monroe County suburbs. Cooney has centered much of his legislative agenda around transportation, economic development, infrastructure investment, and workforce development, while also positioning himself as a key advocate for Rochester development projects at the state level.

At this point, neither Brouk nor Cooney faces a major announced challenger, though political observers note that statewide issues including public safety, affordability, taxes, housing, and migrant policy could still influence voter turnout and shape local races.

Monroe County Political Battles Expected

Attention is also turning toward Monroe County government, where Democrats currently maintain control of the County Executive’s office under Adam Bello.

Although Bello is not immediately up for reelection this year, county legislative races are expected to become increasingly competitive as Republicans attempt to regain momentum in suburban districts while Democrats continue working to expand support in urban and inner-ring suburban communities.

City Council Dynamics Continue to Evolve

The Rochester City Council also remains a focal point for political organizing.

Following the 2025 elections, Democrats maintained control of City Council, with incumbents including Miguel Melendez, Mary Lupien, Mitch Gruber, and Stanley Martin retaining seats alongside newcomers.

But activists and advocacy groups continue pressuring councilmembers on issues ranging from police accountability and affordable housing to environmental justice and youth violence prevention.

Statewide Races Could Influence Local Turnout

The statewide governor’s race is also expected to drive voter turnout across Monroe County.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to face another competitive reelection environment, while Republicans are already rallying around candidates including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

The governor’s race could have a major impact on turnout in Rochester and Monroe County, particularly as debates continue over affordability, public safety, immigration policy, taxes, and the rising cost of living.

Political organizing is already ramping up across Rochester neighborhoods as advocacy groups, unions, churches, and grassroots organizations begin mobilizing voters ahead of the summer primary season.

The Monroe County Democratic Committee recently completed its candidate designation process, signaling the start of a more active campaign season.

At the same time, Republicans are continuing efforts to expand support in Monroe County suburbs and among working-class voters frustrated over economic conditions and crime concerns.

Political observers say concerns over affordability, housing, crime, taxes, and economic inequality are likely to dominate conversations across nearly every major race in Monroe County this year.

While several races are still developing and additional candidates could emerge before petition deadlines, political pundits expect Rochester-area contests to become increasingly contentious as the election calendar approaches.