David Riley

@rilzd

It was one of the worst-kept secrets in Rochester politics that former TV news reporter and anchor Rachel Barnhart was exploring a political run.

On Tuesday, about 1 1/2 weeks after she left her job at WROC-TV (Channel 8), Barnhart made it official.

She confirmed that she sent paperwork to the state Board of Elections on Monday to form a campaign committee to run for the 138th Assembly District. She plans to challenge incumbent Assemblyman Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, in a primary election on Sept. 13.

Bronson said last month that if challenged, he would be glad to present his record to the people of the district, which includes parts of the city of Rochester and the towns of Henrietta and Chili.

Rachel Barnhart to leave WROC-TV

Barnhart said she would have more to say about why she's running at a campaign kickoff in the near future — perhaps as soon as this weekend. A date and place have yet to be announced.

“I just left my job less than two weeks ago and I was forbidden to participate in political activity as a journalist, so there’s an incredible amount of work to do to launch a campaign,” she said.

Bronson kicked off his re-election campaign last month. The Monroe County Democratic Committee and Mayor Lovely Warren have endorsed him.

Lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy commissioned a poll in March that floated Barnhart's name as a potential candidate for the district. Gaddy, who in the past has been close to Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, said at the time that he was acting on behalf of local Barnhart supporters.

A primary is shaping up across the political aisle for the same seat. Republicans Robert Zinck and Peter Vazquez also have announced plans to run for the 138th District.

DRILEY@Gannett.com

Challengers to Nojay, Bronson emerge