Monroe Co. Democrat, GOP representatives react to election results
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Local Democrat and GOP representatives in Monroe County are responding to the outcomes of the presidential and local race outcomes.
As News 8 has reported, Democrats largely dominated the local elections with many incumbents defeating their Republican challengers.
When it comes to the presidential race, those in support of Vice President Kamala Harris say now is the time to come together.
Stephen DeVay serves as Monroe County's Democratic Committee Chair. He spent a week in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention as a delegate for Harris, and has long represented the Democratic party for the Greater Rochester region.
"It's honestly very difficult to think about the issues we're going to face over the next four years in this moment. There were so many of us that are doing this and that were involved. We saw her as the person that was frankly supposed to pick up that mantle and drive us forward, and we're shocked," said DeVay.
With President-elect Donald Trump's win, GOP representatives of Monroe Co. are confident in a path forward.
As for the local races, GOP Committee Chair Patrick Reilly says there is still work to be done.
"Clearly, we need to do a couple things differently. One, I think, is not necessarily the message. But, I think it's who we're delivering the message to. The Republican party has been absent in the city, for example. The parties have changed. I think locally, as a party, we need to acknowledge that and get a bit outside our comfort zone, spend some time in the city and let them know who we are. I think if we do that, we'll be more successful as we move forward," said Reilly.
DeVay says the candidates re-elected on behalf of the Democratic party locally are looking at the days ahead.
"Whether it's Monroe County or New York State, or frankly the folks we're sending back to Washington, there is this moment where we have to be ready to dig in. We have to be ready to fight this fight because we're going to be tested as a country, and this is the moment where we have to lean in and fight that fight," said DeVay.
News 8's election coverage can be viewed here .
