Florence Campaigns Allege Bias in Ballot Objections by Party Leader
- Dave McCleary
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Several Democratic candidates of color are raising concerns about what they describe as discriminatory practices by Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Stephen DeVay, after he filed general objections to their campaign petitions last week.
Clifford A. Florence Sr., a mayoral candidate in Rochester, and his son, Clifford A. Florence Jr., a City Council candidate held a press conference Friday at F.I.G.H.T. Village, where they laid out allegations of bias from DeVay.
The father-son duo made history on April 3 by filing petitions together—an unprecedented move in Monroe County politics. Their candidacies, supported by grassroots organizers, are now under scrutiny by party leadership.
According to the candidates, DeVay filed 18 of the 25 general objections submitted in the county this election cycle, with 12 targeting Black candidates, two against Latino candidates, and four against two white women—mayoral candidate Mary Lupien and her chief of staff, City Council candidate Kellie Cheatle.\
“It appears that Mr. DeVay is only interested in preserving the candidate of his choosing and contesting the process for all others,” said Florence Sr., who referenced the legacy of his father, civil rights leader Minister Franklin Florence Sr., in condemning what he called modern-day voter suppression.
Florence Jr. questioned the chairman’s apparent double standard, noting that DeVay has not challenged the petition of Jeff McCann, a white male and Deputy County Executive under County Executive Adam Bello. McCann is running for Greece Town Supervisor with the endorsement of both the Democratic and Conservative parties—a cross-endorsement that Florence Jr. says should raise red flags.
“The Conservative Party supports Donald Trump,” said Florence Jr. “Why isn’t that a concern for Mr. DeVay, and why is he instead focused on blocking candidates of color?”
Ann C. Lewis, a City Council candidate who successfully fought off a petition challenge in 2024, also criticized the cost of defending ballot access. “Having to spend our hard-earned funds to protect our civil rights to participate in democracy has grown weary,” she said.
In response to the allegations, DeVay stated that the objections were filed based on legal grounds concerning the validity of the petitions, not the race or background of the candidates. He emphasized that the majority of the endorsed Democratic slate for the current election cycle includes candidates from minority backgrounds. Specifically, he noted that out of nine city seats up for election, eight are held by individuals who are Black, Latino, or from other minority communities.
Click below to see the full list of candidates the Florence's say DeVay has filed against:
This is to you: You’ve spent days dodging questions, inventing conspiracy, and clinging to a fading image of yourself that reality no longer recognizes. You say no one knows me. I asked about you. And do you know what was funnier than your response? The silence that followed when I asked about you.
Countless people responded with shrugs, confusion, or polite dismissals. You’re not feared. You’re not respected. You’re simply endured and used. You keep yelling about legacy, but the truth is your clothes have more legacy than you do. That tired suit you wear? It's been through more real movement than you have. At this point, your wardrobe deserves a historical marker. And go get checked out at the…
https://13wham.com/newsletter-daily/civil-rights-activist-clifford-florence-st-fighting-removal-from-rochester-mayoral-ballot-monroe-county-board-of-elections-democrats#
Of Course "the Board of Elections declined to comment" because Jackie Ortiz knows damn well that she's in cahoots with racist Stephen Devay!!!
https://13wham.com/newsletter-daily/civil-rights-activist-clifford-florence-st-fighting-removal-from-rochester-mayoral-ballot-monroe-county-board-of-elections-democrats#
You’ve spent days, weeks years yelling “GHOST, REVEAL THYSELF!” like it’s the password to some sacred hall of Black struggle. You begged for smoke. I’m J.M. Jackson and I brought the fire. Not hiding. Not whispering. And not ducking behind the names of the dearly departed just to keep my ego afloat.
Let’s go ahead and do what nobody else has done to your face: Tell you the truth.
Let’s kill the noise about your “legacy.” Howard, your “legacy” is a paper crown you folded yourself and wear like it's an anointing. You’ve spent 46 years riding the backs of a couple real builders, real organizers, real visionaries people who created lanes while you camped out in the spotlight they…
Howard. Still barking from your digital porch like someone whose invite to relevance got lost in the mail. You have never been a leader and frankly, you have never had the spine to be one. You are the scarecrow full of noise, hollow on substance, and only useful for scaring those who do not know any better. You love to act like the people call on you but the truth is, you just put batteries in the backs of the impressionable and watch them run off cliffs while you hide behind your screen. You are the guy who throws the rock and hides your hand. Cowardice dressed up as activism. Let me educate you for a little bit you fool.…
Let’s call this article what it really is: a desperate attempt to spin accountability into racism and criticism into victimhood. Steve DeVay is not a racist. That accusation is not only baseless it’s a calculated distraction from the real issue: the chaos and games being played by people who are more interested in optics than integrity. It is you all who are the problem. The ones stirring the pot, slinging wild accusations, and propping up candidates who can’t handle basic vetting or, in some cases, even articulate their platforms effectively due to struggles with the English language. Take all of that oil off your face, you fool. Let’s not pretend this is about justice, democracy, or civil rights. It’s about…