Decision day for area Dems [UPDATED 8:25 p.m.]

The Monroe County Democratic Committee will decide tonight which of the candidates vying for favor will get the party's endorsement. At stake are seats on City Council, Rochester School Board, Monroe County Legislature, and a slew of other offices.

With less than a handful of candidates locking-in enough votes to guarantee the party's backing before the convention, there's sure to be plenty of horse trading and maybe one or two surprises.

City Newspaper will be at the convention and will post updates as events warrant.

The Committee's designating convention will take place at the Workers United Hall on East Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.

The voting is just starting.

City School Board member Tom Brennan says he's worried that he won't get the party's designation to run for re-election. If he doesn't receive the nod, he'll mount a primary challenge, he says.

City Council member Dana Miller says he, too, is worried about his prospects for getting the nomination, especially "if people start horse trading."

Party Chair Joe Morelle says this year's theme is Realign in '09. "This is the year, Democrats, that we reclaim county government."

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.

Bob Duffy gets unanimous support to run for reelection. "I promise you I will never break the trust you've placed in me."

Dan Greene gets the designation for sheriff with 71 percent of the vote. Brian McCarthy gets the nod for county court judge and Thomas Morse gets the designation to run for City Court judge.

In the City School Board races, Van White and Jose Cruz have each received over 50 percent of the vote, so they get the nomination.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.

The first round of voting for City Council candidates just wrapped up. Carolee Conklin and Matthew Haag each received over 50 percent of the votes, so they get the designation. Jackie Ortiz, Loretta Scott and Dana Miller received totals in the mid-40 percent range, while Gladys Santiago got about 29 percent of the vote and John Lightfoot got about 26 percent of the vote.

In County Lej races, Paul Haney got the endorsement for the 23rd District and Harry Bronson received it for the 24th District.

UPDATE 7:35 p.m.

No City School Board candidates received 50 percent of the vote during the second round of balloting. Cynthia Elliott lead the voting, followed by Brennan, then Nancy Sung Shelton.

UPDATED 8:10 p.m.

Loretta Scott got above the 50 percent threshold in the second round of City Council balloting. No other candidates did, however, so there will be a third round.

In the school board races, Elliott got the last remaining designation. Brennan received the second-highest amount of votes, followed by Sung Shelton.

UPDATED 8:25 p.m.

Jackie Ortiz and Dana Miller received the final two designations for City Council, wrapping up the evening.

So as it stands, and keep in mind that there will be primary challenges, the official slate of Democratic candidates for Rochester School Board is: incumbents Cynthia Elliott and Van White, joined by newcomer Jose Cruz.

City Council candidates are: Carolee Conklin, Dana Miller, Matthew Haag, Jackie Ortiz, and Loretta Scott. Conklin and Miller are the only incumbents on the slate. That leaves Council President Gladys Santiago and Council member John Lightfoot out in the cold. Both said that they will primary to get the party's endorsement.