Brian Sharp

@SharpRoc

The city's mayoral race is heating up, with Monroe County Legislator and former Rochester police chief James Sheppard poised to enter the race this weekend.

Mayor Lovely Warren has held back on announcing a re-election bid, while former WROC (Channel 8) anchor and reporter Rachel Barnhart continues to explore a run but expects to conclude that work shortly and "join the discussion in the coming days."

Sheppard posted a Facebook message Monday asking supporters to join him for his announcement on Saturday.

"This is not a decision I have made lightly," Sheppard said in the post, going on to ask "all of you who share my love for our city, and who care about its future" to attend the announcement at the Rochester Regional Joint Board; the regional organization of labor unions located on East Avenue.

The choice of locations is notable, as Warren has feuded with labor in recent months, directing the cancellation of an umbrella labor agreement for the Rochester city schools modernization program. But in what could shape up to be a testy Democratic primary, Barnhart's camp is not sitting on its hands.

In response to Sheppard's post, Albany lobbyist and political operative Robert Scott Gaddy, who is a close confidant of Barnhart and consultant to her potential campaign, tweeted: "Chief Ding-A-Ling makes his move. Sheppard can't win minority votes due to his policing record. He's toast."

Barnhart issued a brief statement that did not mention her potential opponents but spoke of creating jobs, improving opportunities, and talking with Rochester residents about "how we can achieve our shared goals."

Sheppard did not respond to voice and text messages seeking comment. He appears to have been gearing up for a run for some time. In late July, the first-term county lawmaker reported raising $10,744 since the month before. That was more than the county's 28 other legislators combined. Roughly half of those came from nine unions or their affiliated committees, notably the building trades. He dismissed talk of running for a higher office at the time.

►Ex-RPD chief raises $10k for campaign

Warren, meanwhile, had more than $250,000 on hand at last report, in addition to a political action committee that has amassed nearly $215,000, records show. Barnhart's campaign last reported a $2,000 balance.

BDSHARP@Gannett.com