Joy, gratitude and eagerness to get down to business for Rochester's new mayor

Mayor-elect Paul Callaghan and his daughter, Caroline Callaghan, were all smiles after Tuesday's tallies came in. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Two months from today veteran lawman and lifetime Rochester resident Paul Callaghan will be sworn in as Rochester's mayor, but on Wednesday after soundly defeating his opponent he sounded like he was ready to hit the road running today.

"Together, we'll move Rochester forward and keep our city a great place to live, work and raise a family," he said in a statement to The Rochester Voice. "Now, let's get to work."

Callaghan defeated Rochester city councilor Palana Hunt-Hawkins, more than doubling the number of votes his challenger garnered, 2,845-1,400, with an overall voter percentage win of 64.5%-31.8%.

And while the city's voter turnout (25%) was dismal compared to last November's Presidential Election turnout (70%), it was above recent off-year Election Days, which were 19.9 percent in 2015, 13.4 percent in 2017 and 14.1 percent two years ago, according to Rochester Deputy City Clerk Cassi Givara.

While Callaghan signaled an eagerness to get down to business on Wednesday he also took time to reflect.

"I'm honored to continue my service to our great city as the next Mayor of Rochester," he said. "It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to continue to give back to the community that has given me so much."

Hunt-Hawkins has not been available for comment to The Rochester Voice.