Brian Sharp

@SharpRoc

The first city Democratic committees to weigh in on who should get the party endorsement for mayor shunned Mayor Lovely Warren on Tuesday night, going strongly for challenger James Sheppard.

Sheppard, the city's former police chief and a current Monroe County legislator, easily doubled Warren's vote totals in the 28th and combined 26th and 7th legislative districts. Warren narrowly edged out her other challenger, WROC-TV reporter/anchor Rachel Barnhart in combined votes. The two tied in the 26th/7th districts, which traces the northwest edge of the city, extending to Charlotte.

Candidates receive a percent total of a weighted vote that will be binding for the first ballot at the Democratic convention this spring. There are 10 city committees in all. Warren is generally considered unlikely to win the party designation, a first in local politics reflecting what is alternately described as divisions or diversity within the party.

In a statement, Sheppard spoke of a "groundswell among Democrats for change," saying: "Citizens here are tired of the shootings and violence, tired of being left out of the decision-making process that affects their neighborhoods and tired of lack of results from City Hall."

Gary Rogers of the Friends of Lovely Warren Committee released a statement early Wednesday morning.

"Exactly what we thought would happen tonight happened — although we actually got more votes than we expected to receive," Rogers stated. "It is our belief that when everyone votes, everyone's heard so regardless of what happens during this elite, handpicked committee process we will go forward to the primary where we are sure that we will be successful.

"We have brought more jobs and opportunity to our City, better educational opportunities and made our neighborhoods safer and the real decision makers in this race are the everyday voters and residents of Rochester."

Barnhart released a statement that read: "I was the only candidate to present solid plans to grow the economy and reduce poverty. I was grateful for the opportunity to present my platform to a select group of party insiders. The real contest involves all voters on Primary Day."

Local businessman Alex White, an enrolled Green Party member, also is running for mayor.

BDSHARP@Gannett.com