A Message from Chairman Zach King
A friendly reminder: New York’s Primary Election is just around the corner. All Monroe County Democrats will vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and City of Rochester residents will also choose two candidates for City Court Judge.
Do you have your plan to vote?
- The Primary Election is Tuesday, June 28; if you don’t know your polling site, please click here.
- Early Voting starts tomorrow, Saturday, June 18 through Sunday, June 26; click here for hours and 14 convenient locations — and remember that you can vote at any Early Voting site, making it easy to do on your way to and from work or school, or while running errands.
- Can’t make it to the polls? Click here for an Absentee Ballot application and important information. You can still submit your Absentee application in-person at the Monroe County Board of Elections until June 27. NEW THIS YEAR: Due to a change in NY Election Law, if you apply for an absentee ballot, you can no longer change your mind and decide to vote on a machine. If you decide you want to go to a polling location during Early Voting or to your specific site on Primary Day, you will only be allowed to vote by affidavit ballot.
Why is the Primary so important? It’s the first step in determining who will serve all New Yorkers as Governor and Lieutenant Governor for the next four years, and who will serve City of Rochester residents as City Court Judge for the next 10 years. Our state party’s designated candidates for the executive branch are Kathy Hochul (Governor) and Antonio Delgado (Lieutenant Governor). MCDC’s designated candidates for Rochester City Court Judge are Jacquelyn Grippe and Judge LaToya Lee — learn more about them below.
I want to thank you for being an active participant in our critical electoral process! All votes matter and your vote in June will help decide which Democratic candidates appear on the ballot in November. Please vote early or on June 28 and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
If you have any questions about the Primary, please contact the MCDC office: info@monroedemocrats.c
Join Us for a Walk Down Memory Lane
Please join Chairman King and hosts Rick Dollinger, Nick Robfogel, and Fran Weisberg for a Walk Down Memory Lane on Thursday, June 30. We’ll dust off the photo albums, break out the old lawn signs, and remember the good old days — although your support of this event will help ensure that our best days are still ahead!
See the invitation below for details, and click here to order your tickets today.
Thank you for your support — we hope you’ll join us for this memorable fundraiser.
Meet Our Designated Candidates for Rochester City Court Judge
Attention City of Rochester residents: MCDC has designated two amazing candidates for Rochester City Court Judge! Both have extensive experience and impeccable credentials, and both embrace our Democratic ideals of transparency, equality, and service. Thank you in advance for voting for them in the June 28 Primary Election.
Jacquelyn Grippe is a Senior Assistant Public Defender at the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, where she has worked for almost a decade handling violations, misdemeanors, felonies, and parole cases in every criminal court in Monroe County. Jacquelyn is the proud wife of a military veteran and mother of three-year-old twins who gives back to the community through her current volunteer work with Adams Street Recreation Center and previous work with the Girl Scouts, Police Accountability Board, Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys, and Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester. Jacquelyn is an active Democrat who has prepared emergency court orders to protect peoples’ right to vote as MCDC’s Election Day counsel.
“Judges have a huge impact on all those that appear in front of them, and have an obligation to make sure that all parties are treated with respect and dignity. I believe in justice with humanity and compassion.” ~Jacquelyn Grippe
Judge LaToya Lee is a lifelong City resident and a proud graduate of the Rochester City School District. She was appointed to the Rochester City Court bench by Mayor Malik Evans in February 2022 after serving as an Associate Court Attorney for two justices on the Court. Judge Lee previously worked as a Traffic Prosecutor for the City of Rochester, a Public Defender at the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, and a Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Attorney with the Empire Justice Center. She is an active member of the Rochester Black Bar Association and a student volunteer/mentor with the Urban League of Rochester and The Center for Youth.
“My promise to the people of Rochester is that I will bring the full breadth of my experience to the bench and serve with integrity and compassion so that equal justice is applied to all.” ~Judge LaToya Lee
News & Media
- The New York Times Editorial Board endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul in the upcoming election: “…she deserves an additional four years as chief executive of New York.” More>>
- Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered $7.5 million to create 120+ new jobs, attract tourism, and boost economic recovery through a Strong Museum expansion. More>>
- Congressman Joe Morelle secured $1 million in federal funding for local workforce development More>>
- Congressman Joe Morelle delivered $732,000 for affordable housing in Rochester. More>>
- Senator Jeremy Cooney secured $50,000 in state funding for violence prevention. More>>
- Senator Samra Brouk and Assemblymember Harry Bronson passed legislation to ensure access to critical mental health services. More>>
- Assemblymember Harry Bronson’s Buy American Rock Salt legislation will protect local jobs and communities. More>>
- Assemblymember Jen Lunsford secured a $250,000 grant for the Penfield School District to help purchase the school bus in its electric fleet. More>>
- County Executive Adam Bello ordered a sweeping overhaul of the County Office of Probation and Community Correction. More>>
- County Executive Adam Bello announced the RETAIN program to incentivize recent college graduates to stay in Monroe County More>>
Support MCDC
With campaign season well underway, our team is busier than ever helping re-elect our hardworking State Senators and Assemblymembers, supporting our Governor Kathy Hochul as she continues to lead our state, and doing our part in Monroe County to help maintain a Democratic majority in Congress.
Do you want to help us sustain this work? Consider making your a monthly donation. Your recurring donation of $5, $10, or even $25 will help us support our endorsed candidates and insure that Monroe County remains Democratic!
Click here to donate today. Donations in any amount are truly appreciated. Thank you!