LaToya Lee, Jacquelyn Grippe win primary for Rochester City Court judge

Incumbent appointee LaToya Lee and Assistant Public Defender Jacquelyn Grippe won Tuesday's Democratic primary for Rochester City Court judge, defeating two other candidates and becoming the presumptive victors in the November general election.

With all election districts reporting unofficial results, Lee had 31.4 % of the vote and Grippe had about 30%, compared to 20% for Van White and 19% for Constance Patterson.

The four-for-two City Court judge contest was the only significant local primary. It happened against the backdrop of rising violence and homicide rates in the city, and each of the candidates tried to persuade voters they were best suited to make a difference.

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Lee, 39, is a former public defender who was appointed to a vacant judge position earlier this year by Mayor Malik Evans.

One of her campaign pledges was to prioritize treatment options for offenders rather than imprisonment.

Grippe, 37, is an attorney in the public defender's office. She has a background in community organizing.

White is a lawyer in private practice and the former president of the Rochester school board, while Patterson is a prosecutor in the district attorney's office.

No other candidates are on the ballot for the general election in November. Lee and Grippe were also both endorsed by the Working Families party.

Contact staff writer Justin Murphy at jmurphy7@gannett.com. 

Note: Updated following reporting from all 251 districts.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester City Court judge primary: LaToya Lee, Jacquelyn Grippe win