Democrats Divided over Mayor's Race
By: Tina Shively
Updated: March 23, 2013
Rochester, NY - Democrats have controlled Rochester government for decades, but tonight the party is divided.
City Council President Lovely Warren's decision to run for mayor has not only turned her against the incumbent Mayor Tom Richards, there's also a war of words between two of the most powerful democrats in the state; Dean of the State Assembly David Gantt of Rochester and Assembly Majority Leader and Monroe County Party Chair Joe Morelle of Irondequoit.
It wasn't too long ago that Monroe County's Democrat party stood side by side in support of Tom Richards. In February of 2011, many key politicians stood by when Richards announced he was running in a special election for mayor.
Fast forward to today, when Gantt stood behind Lovely Warren at her announcement.
Gantt says Morelle cut a deal that "now" would be Warren's time in exchange for their earlier support of Richards.
"Now again we're being told 'you gotta wait' after a committment was made," said Gantt. "The commitment was made by Joe Morelle and the Democratic party and now we get to the door and they tell us we gotta wait. We're tired of waiting."
News 8's Tina Shively asked for clarification of his use of the word "we".
Gantt explained "The black community, so let me make that clear. There's no doubt about that, that's always been the case."
In a phone interview, Morelle responded saying, "The whole notion is preposterous. Everyone who knows David Gantt knows that's just David Gantt being David Gantt. It's what we've come to expect. And David knows he has to create some distractions in the campaign because Tom Richards has been a remarkable mayor."
Gantt was visibly shaken as he described what he calls broken political promises in the past.
He says people in Rochester's neighborhoods need better representation at City Hall and in local politics.
"You believe that people will be truthful," said Gantt. "And when they're not, it bothers you. And I'm bothered by the process."
Morelle added "It's emotional when anyone makes up a story and suggests I haven't kept my word."
The local democratic party said it will decide which candidate it supports at its convention at the end of May.
City Council President Lovely Warren's decision to run for mayor has not only turned her against the incumbent Mayor Tom Richards, there's also a war of words between two of the most powerful democrats in the state; Dean of the State Assembly David Gantt of Rochester and Assembly Majority Leader and Monroe County Party Chair Joe Morelle of Irondequoit.
It wasn't too long ago that Monroe County's Democrat party stood side by side in support of Tom Richards. In February of 2011, many key politicians stood by when Richards announced he was running in a special election for mayor.
Fast forward to today, when Gantt stood behind Lovely Warren at her announcement.
Gantt says Morelle cut a deal that "now" would be Warren's time in exchange for their earlier support of Richards.
"Now again we're being told 'you gotta wait' after a committment was made," said Gantt. "The commitment was made by Joe Morelle and the Democratic party and now we get to the door and they tell us we gotta wait. We're tired of waiting."
News 8's Tina Shively asked for clarification of his use of the word "we".
Gantt explained "The black community, so let me make that clear. There's no doubt about that, that's always been the case."
In a phone interview, Morelle responded saying, "The whole notion is preposterous. Everyone who knows David Gantt knows that's just David Gantt being David Gantt. It's what we've come to expect. And David knows he has to create some distractions in the campaign because Tom Richards has been a remarkable mayor."
Gantt was visibly shaken as he described what he calls broken political promises in the past.
He says people in Rochester's neighborhoods need better representation at City Hall and in local politics.
"You believe that people will be truthful," said Gantt. "And when they're not, it bothers you. And I'm bothered by the process."
Morelle added "It's emotional when anyone makes up a story and suggests I haven't kept my word."
The local democratic party said it will decide which candidate it supports at its convention at the end of May.
There could be a primary in September.
