The community action group headed by former news anchor Rachel Barnhart says it had nothing to do with a flier attacking Democratic Monroe County Sheriff Candidate Todd Baxter.
The Baxter for Sheriff campaign and the Monroe County Democratic Committee have now filed a complaint with the New York State Board of Elections, asking them to investigate the mailer which was sent out over the weekend. They call it “fraudulent.”
The flier takes content from the “Rochester for All” website, which suggests that Baxter is a Republican running on the Democratic line for convenience. It urges Rochester Democrats to write in the name of former Democratic sheriff candidate Gary Pudup.
Rochester For all’s treasurer, Eric Stevens, says in a statement that he’s filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and will follow up on Monday. Rochester For All says although this flier uses some of their language, they didn’t send it out and they believe it may be mail fraud. They say they don’t know who actually sent it.
The mailer doesn’t say who paid for it, which is a violation of State Election Law.
Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn has issued a statement saying his campaign isn’t responsible for the mailer and proudly takes ownership of the materials it produced and paid for during the campaign.