McCarley: 'I feel great energy across the city'

Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley said on Wednesday she'd had some doubts about how Tuesday's vote would go with so many candidates in the race, but was "very happy" that she pulled off such a strong victory, capturing almost 46 percent of the vote from a field of four.

She said she campaigned briskly but not obsessively, adding, "All I tried to do was social media, walking some neighborhoods. I felt it was a very upbeat election."

Former mayor Doug Lachance came in a distant second, with 24.7 percent of the vote, followed by State Rep. Matt Scruton with 22.6 percent and Safran project manager Don Barnes with 5.6 percent.

Asked whether her sweeping victory was a mandate for a singular initiative or general approval of her first term, she said a little of both.

"I think it was general approval, but I have been talking for two years telling the world what a great place the city is," she said. "And for a long time people who actually live here haven't been thinking that, but it is."

She added that she feels "great energy across the city which I don't' take credit for, but it helps to see us keep going in the right direction."

McCarley also credited her challengers for speaking their mind and running a great race.