Wilt runs for Morelle's Assembly seat; eligibility questioned

David Andreatta , Brian Sharp | Democrat and Chronicle

Robin Wilt, the Brighton Town Board member who lost a Democratic congressional primary election in June, is launching a campaign for an Assembly seat.

Wilt and volunteers holding "Robin Wilt for Assembly" signs marched in the Irondequoit Fourth of July parade. Her website, wiltforcongress.com, redirects visitors to a new website at wiltforassembly.com.

The site indicates she is running for the 136th Assembly District, which is currently occupied by Joseph Morelle of Irondequoit. He bested Wilt and three other opponents in the June 26 primary. to become the Democratic candidate in the race 25th Congressional District seat vacated by the death of Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport.

Morelle, the Assembly's majority leader, is to face Dr. Jim Maxwell, the Republican nominee, in November.

More: Maxwell sets sights on veteran politician Morelle in race to succeed Slaughter

Whether Wilt is eligible for an Assembly run appears uncertain, however.

State election law requires candidates to have lived in New York for five years and in the district they hope to represent for at least one year immediately preceding the election.

Wilt has lived in Seattle within the last five years. King County Board of Elections records show Wilt voted there in 15 primary, general and special elections between 2012 and 2016.

More: Succeeding Slaughter: Morelle cruises to victory in Democratic primary

Questions about Wilt’s residency were first reported by WROC-TV.

"It is not our place to interpret the law regarding residency. That is for the courts," Wilt spokeswoman Wynette Vickers said in an email. "Robin would not be running if she did not believe she meets the residency requirements."

Throughout her congressional campaign, Wilt highlighted what she described as more than a decade of organizing at the grass-roots level. Asked then by the Democrat and Chronicle about her experience in Seattle, Wilt replied, “Just because I wasn’t local does not mean I wasn’t organizing.”

Others who have expressed interest in running for the 136th Assembly District seat include Monroe County Democratic Chairwoman Jamie Romeo and Jaclyn Richard, president of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women. Romeo also marched in the Irondequoit parade.

The district covers portions of Rochester, Brighton and Irondequoit.

DANDREATTA@Gannett.com

BDSHARP@Gannett.com