Primary matters

By Mary Anna Towler

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It's on an unusual day, but there are political party primaries on Thursday, September 13, for several key local and state offices.

Although elections are almost always on Tuesday, this one's on Thursday because Tuesday was the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (which in 2001 was an election day) and it was the last night of Rosh Hashana.

The most publicized races on Thursday's ballot are the Democratic races for New York governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, and, locally, for Rochester school board and the 136th state Assembly seat now occupied by Joe Morelle, who is running for Congress. (City's online coverage of those races: rochestercitynewspaper.com.)

But there's a long list of candidates for other elected positions. There are Democratic Party contests for the 133rd state Assembly seat (Ann Lewis versus incumbent David Gantt), City Court Judge (Michael Lopez versus Gil Perez), and numerous Democratic Committee positions.

Republicans also have a primary: Marjorie Byrnes is challenging incumbent Joe Errigo for the 133rd state Assembly seat (Livingston County and parts of Monroe and Steuben Counties.) And there's an Independence Party primary for Fairport Village mayor and trustee.

Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. You must be enrolled in a party to vote in its primary.