Trahan is first to announce '22 bid for Rochester mayor

With 13 months to go ahead of the 2022 city elections, Rochester has its first declared candidate for mayor.

Brad Trahan, a recruitment professional, announced Wednesday his intentions to run for the position, now held by Mayor Kim Norton.

Speaking in front of supporters outside his home, Trahan said Rochester is at a crossroads and at danger of losing a "spirit of compromise” that had previously defined city politics.

Brad Trahan / Facebook Live

“I am running because people are not being heard,” said Trahan. “They are being told where and how they can live; told the police are not necessarily good; told their jobs aren’t as important as someone else’s; told how to run their businesses; and told to pay for the mistakes of others.”

Trahan also used the 11-minute address to throw shade at Norton, who was elected as mayor in 2018 and previously served as a state legislator.

“Our current mayor feels she has the power and moral authority to tell people what to do and demands they follow,” he said. “Those who question her facts or simply ask why aren’t given answers, only more lectures.”

Trahan, a 40-year Rochester resident who helped organize a “Back the Blue” rally this summer, made clear a key issue heading into his campaign will be support for law enforcement.

“Without public safety, our parks, our downtown, our local businesses, our walkways — simply put — our community has nothing,” said Trahan. “I fully support police and community engagement.”

Norton has not made an announcement regarding her 2022 candidacy, but is widely expected to seek a second term in office.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.