Monroe County Republicans tease ‘major announcement’ for next year’s congressional run

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— On the heels of what Monroe County Republicans are calling a "big" Election Day Tuesday, the party’s chair said it’s prepared to make a "major" announcement in a race for next year.

During the party’s reception at the DoubleTree Inn in Henrietta, chair Bernie Iacovangelo said the party is already prepping for 2022, and plan to announce a candidate to run against Democratic Congressman Joe Morelle. Morelle has represented the 25th congressional district since 2018.

Iacovangelo held back on giving hints, but in attendance, Tuesday night was former Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary. News10NBC Reporter Stephanie Duprey asked Singletary if he planned to run against Morelle.

DUPREY: "And you’re running for the 25th congressional?"

SINGLETARY: "I’m not gonna confirm anything tonight. There’s gonna be some opportunities maybe in the future when things can be confirmed, but I’m not confirming anything right now."

Singletary was fired in 2020 by Mayor Lovel Warren after he initially announced plans to retire following the fallout from the death of Daniel Prude in Rochester Police custody back in March of 2020. Prude’s death did not become public knowledge until September, when bodycam footage from the incident was released.

Singletary is currently suing the city, as he accuses Warren of defamation of character, a hostile work environment, and wrongful and retaliatory termination over the handling of the investigation into Prude’s death.

It was previously announced Singletary was among the dozens of candidates to become Austin, Texas’s next police chief, he was not selected.

As for whether or not Singletary will be the candidate, Iacovangelo says the announcement of whoever will step up will be made at the Downtown Rochester Riverside Convention Center Thursday morning.