Jamie Romeo, seeking to replace Adam Bello, announces run for Monroe County Clerk

Will Cleveland , Brian Sharp | Democrat and Chronicle

Show Caption Hide Caption Jamie Romeo wins the 136th Assembly seat Jamie Romeo wins the Assembly seat formerly held by Joe Morelle.

State Assemblywoman Jamie Romeo has announced her intention to run for Monroe County Clerk in 2020.

Romeo announced her bid in an email to the Monroe County Democratic Committee, a copy of which was obtained by the Democrat and Chronicle Thursday.

"I am excited to confirm that I will be seeking the nomination for Monroe County Clerk in the 2020 cycle. With a strong partnership with the incoming Bello Administration, I believe the clerk’s office must be a key component to seeing the transformational change our community has demanded at 39 West Main Street."

She later confirmed the announcement in a text message.

Romeo, 34, a Democrat from Irondequoit, is a first-term Assemblywoman for the 136th District. In the email she stated she wouldn't seek re-election for that seat. She replaced Joseph Morelle, who left the seat to run for Congress. Morelle currently represents New York's 25th Congressional District.

The 136th District covers Irondequoit, Brighton and portions of Rochester, including Charlotte. Assembly terms are two years, with a base salary of $110,000. The clerk term is for four years and pays $81,000.

Romeo is the first major party candidate to declare for the clerk's post. She is seeking to succeed Adam Bello, the former county clerk and Irondequoit town supervisor, who just defeated Cheryl Dinolfo for the county executive post.

More from 2018: Jamie Romeo wins Assembly primary; Errigo defeated

Gov. Andrew Cuomo must pick Bello's successor to complete the final year of the original four-year term. Cuomo's pick will have an immediate leg up on possible rivals in the 2020 election.

Romeo, a graduate of Irondequoit High School, previously served as the chairwoman of Monroe County Democratic Committee. She was also chief of staff to former state Sen. Ted O'Brien and worked in Monroe County government, rising to staff director for the Democratic Caucus of the county Legislature.

In the email, she said she was inspired to run for this office after witnessing the gains made by Monroe County Democrats in the most recent general election. Bello will become the first Democratic county executive in about 30 years and the Democrats closed the gap in the county Legislature. Republicans still hold a 15-14 edge in the chamber.

"The gains we have made for our community as Democrats would not be possible without the dedication and work of leaders like you," she wrote. "Our community is at a turning point; for the first time the decision-making process for so many local governments will not simply be a rubber stamp by one political party, but a community conversation. This is paramount to good governance."

She said she believes in the power of county government.

"My many years as staff in the Monroe County Legislature served to establish my belief that responsiveness to community needs and serving with integrity is the foundation of what it means to be a public servant.

Romeo holds a bachelor's degree in political science from St. John Fisher College and a master's degree in public administration from the College at Brockport.

WCLEVELAND@Gannett.com