Monroe County Democratic Committee (MCDC) have selected county legislator LaShay Harris, to replace Rochester City Council Vice President Adam McFadden (South District).

McFadden points to his recent legal troubles, after announcing his decision to not seek reelection, that allegedly accuses him of committing financial malfeasance at the federal level. He says, his decision to step down will allow him time to concentrate on upcoming legal battles. The councilman initially was adamant, he’s innocent of all charges but has recently agreed to a plea deal ordering him to be sentence from 1 to 18 months in federal prison.’

After stepping down, McFadden has publicly thrown his support behind Harris with the knowledge that both are longtime residents, who’ve (Harris) been nurtured (reared), schooled (St. Monica), and employed (America Medical Response) in the South District. And, both have served as President of the 19th Ward, a neighborhood association that represents more than 20,000 constituents.

Harris have been living as an adult in the 19th Ward for well over a decade and is involved with its Neighborhood’s Association, as its director and organizer of its annual Square Fair event (Aberdeen Square Park).

She continues as legislator of LD 27, while employed with the Rochester City School District (RCSD), as a program coordinator, after 25 years at American Medical Response (AMR).

Outside her scope of work, as a legislator and coordinator, Harris is a licensed and certified career technical teacher, real estate agent (Berkshire Hathaway), small business owner, and paramedic.

She was preparing for reelection as county legislator for LD 27, before the opportunity opened to fill a city council seat that encompasses the county district seat (LD 27), she currently represents. She saw it as an opportunity, to do more for constituents and made the decision to contact MCDC and inquire about resigning as county legislator and jump-start a run for the South District seat. After going through the process established in the committee's charter to replace an incumbent designated party candidate, Harris won the majority vote.

The South District consist of more than 55,000 constituents in several communities including the 19th Ward, Swan, Corn Hill, Upper Mt. Hope, Lilac, Highland Park, South Wedge, and Susan B. Anthony.

Harris says, she will continue to ‘make good’ on her promise to protect our children, support at-risk populations, and support efficient and fiscal responsible legislation that serve taxpayers.

“I want to bring to the council, what I brought to the county as a legislator,” Harris says. “I was the second black female legislator in 54 years, prior to the late ‘great’ community activist Constance Mitchell, who became the first in 1961, when she was elected to the County Board of Supervisors, which later became the Monroe County Legislature. I was sworn into office by Connie, which was such a blessing,” she continues. “And I told her, I will continue her work as a dedicated servant to the community and a fighter for at-risk populations.”

During her first and only tenure as a legislator, she has partnered with Monroe Community College (MCC) in producing a job fair that was geared for constituents; especially youth, organized suit-drives to help young men dress properly for job interviews and submitted legislation that would increase the age for smokers. She also continues to serve on numerous boards of non-profit community organizations.

“County Legislators, who are Democrats have a hard time getting things our constituent cares about passed, because Republicans control the chamber,” Harris acknowledges. “So, our important issues get lost in the tug-of-war of distinctive politics. But I believe as a public servant, we can find other ways to serve our constituents and city, which is to use resources in the community and having power brokers come together, under a plan to work directly with the community, without having to work the unworkable in the legislative chamber. So, instead of embracing ineffectiveness, at times I chose to go around the usual legislative path to address the important needs of my constituents and at-risk populations such as, partnering with academic institutions like MCC and REOC, and non-profit organizations like American Heart Association and similar others,” she implies. “I’m looking forward to working hard campaigning for the community’s support and knowing I will have opportunities in city council to work effectively with my peers on their behalf.”

Contact LaShay Harris with questions, ideas, and concerns at 585.236.4216 or [email protected]