Challenger Rose Bonnick swept to victory over Monroe County Legislature president Sabrina LaMar in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The decisive win could impact future control of the Legislature.
Unofficial results from the county Board of Elections show Bonnick, a community outreach worker in Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Cooney’s office, captured nearly 64 percent of the vote in the 27th District race. LaMar received 36 percent.
LaMar, a registered Democrat, has caucused with the Legislature’s Republicans since 2022, a move that gave the GOP control of the Legislature. In the 2021 general election, the Democrats had gained a County Legislature majority for the first time in 37 years—but by a single seat.
A two-term incumbent, LaMar was appointed to the seat in 2020 and ran for a second term unopposed.
Bonnick, a first-time candidate with minimal resources, relied on door-to-door campaigning. She used LaMar’s alliance with Republicans as a chief talking point.
In other Legislature contests, three Democratic incumbents prevailed. Rachel Barnhart withstood a challenge from Allan Richards in the 17th District race, by a margin of 63 percent to 37 percent. In the 22nd District, Mercedes Simmons defeated Jessie Parson by the same margin. And in the 25th District, Carolyn Hoffman beat Nadja Justice, 69 percent to 31 percent.
Paul Ericson is Rochester Beacon executive editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].