2011 Rochester mayoral special election

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2011 Rochester mayoral special election
Flag of Rochester, New York.svg
 2009March 29, 2011 (2011-03-29) 2013  
  ThomasRichards (1).jpg 3x4.svg Alex white (1).jpg
Nominee Thomas Richards William A. Johnson Jr. Alex White
Party Democratic Working Families Green
Popular vote12,47110,7322,221
Percentage49.05%42.21%8.74%

Mayor before election

Thomas Richards
Democratic

Elected mayor

Thomas Richards
Democratic

The 2011 Rochester mayoral special election took place on March 29, 2011, in the city of Rochester, New York, United States. Thomas Richards was elected over former mayor William A. Johnson Jr. to serve for the remainder of the term.

Contents

Background

Incumbent Democratic Thomas Richards had been sworn in as interim mayor after Robert Duffy was elected lieutenant governor in 2010, previously having served as the City of Rochester Corporation Counsel and subsequently deputy mayor. [1] There was some controversy about whether Richards was officially mayor, or whether the power appointing a new mayor rested solely with the City Council. The council decided to hold a special election rather than wait for a general election to be held in November. The immediacy of the election precluded the possibility of primaries, so candidates were chosen directly by the party leaders. Having decided to contest the special election for the rest of Duffy's term, Richards resigned to ensure he could run without violating terms of the Hatch Act, which could have jeopardized federal funding. [2]

Candidates

Democratic

Working Families

Independence

Green

Results

Special election results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Thomas Richards 12,471 49.05%
Working Families William A. Johnson Jr. 8,14432.03%
Independence William A. Johnson Jr. 2,58810.18%
Total William A. Johnson Jr. 10,73242.21%
Green Alex White2,2218.74%
Total votes25,424 100%

References

  1. Large majority favors Richards
  2. Thomas Richards resigns as Rochester mayor; Carlos Carballada to take his place
  3. Richards wins special election
  4. Sharp, Brian. "Alex White formally announces Rochester mayoral bid". Democrat and Chronicle.
  5. "2011 Rochester Mayoral Special Election" (PDF).