It looks like a primary challenge to Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is a done deal. Warren hasn’t announced for re-election yet, but Monroe County Legislator and former Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard appears to be about to announce that he’s in the race:
Sheppard has been considering a run, as has former NY Assembly candidate and TV anchor Rachel Barnhart. Both are Democrats, as is Mayor Warren.
Things are never as absolute as pundits have to make it when they have 60 seconds of air time, but roughly speaking, Mayor Warren is allied with Assemblyman David Gantt and his supporters in the Monroe County Democratic Party; Jim Sheppard is perceived as closer to local party leadership and Assemblyman Joe Morelle; and Rachel Barnhart is an independent Democrat and wild card.