Both Monroe County Democrats and a recently formed progressive political action committee, Rochester For All, say a political mailing that targeted Democrats in the days before the sheriff's election is fraudulent.

The mailing, which encouraged Democrats to write in another candidate in the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, claims to be the work of the political action committee, Rochester For All, which former television reporter Rachel Barnhart created after her recent unsuccessful run for Rochester mayor.

Rochester For All had nothing to do with the flyer, Barnhart said. The mailing was widely distributed to Democrats, making it a costly last-minute political ploy.

County Democrats and the campaign of Todd Baxter, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, filed complaints with the state Board of Elections. Rochester For All filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service.

Baxter is challenging incumbent Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn, a Republican.

A statement released by the O'Flynn campaign Sunday afternoon said, “Neither the sheriff nor the campaign had any involvement in the production or distribution of the mailer. The campaign has proudly taken ownership of all printed material, television commercials, and digital ads produced and paid for by the campaign.”

Arnie Rothschild, a campaign consultant who was hired by the O'Flynn campaign for some political ads, said Sunday that he had nothing to do with the mailing. The Democrat and Chronicle also reached out to the Republican Party Saturday and Sunday, but officials did not respond immediately.

Political mailings in the final days before an election are often negative attacks against an opponent, especially if internal political polling shows a race to be close. But the individuals, campaigns or parties behind those mailings typically, as required by law, acknowledge their role in the mailing. If this mailing was not from Rochester For All, then this appears to be an unusual political maneuver trying to dupe voters by cloaking its real source.

The Democratic complaint to the state board is against the Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn Campaign and the Monroe County Republican Committee alleging a violation of the NYS Fair Campaign Code.

“This mailing is a clear violation of New York State Election Law, and a blatant attempt to mislead local voters,” said Monroe County Democratic Party Chairwoman Jamie Romeo in a statement. “Given the O’Flynn campaign and the Monroe County Republicans are the sole beneficiaries of such cynical and dishonest efforts, we have urged the State Board to investigate them.”

The mailing notes that Baxter has held conservative positions on immigration, gun control and some social issues and has voiced support for President Donald Trump. And the mailing encourages Democrats to write in Gary Pudup, a Democrat and former Monroe County Sheriff's Office lieutenant, to send a message to the county Democratic Party that its candidates should be more aligned with the standard stances of the party on social issues.

Rochester For All has encouraged a write-in vote for Pudup, who has unsuccessfully run for the state Assembly. Pudup also denies any involvement with the flyer.

Baxter is a Republican who is switching to the Democratic Party. He has filed the necessary paperwork, but the party change will not take place until after the election.

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