The competition is heating up in the race for the 25th Congressional District seat next fall. A Brighton man is running an independent campaign and will need some 3,500 signatures to get on the ballot.
"I'm running for Congress to give the people of Rochester a choice," said Brandon Kirshner.
Kirshner, 26, is a medical student pursuing his passion for politics.
"I get to hear people's stories, talk to families, talk to patients, and what you find is that people are generally unhappy, and not just with our health care system but with the direction of America in general," said Kirshner.
Kirshner kicked off his grassroots campaign Sunday, speaking before his family, friends and supporters.
"Careerism in Washington is hurting the American people," said Kirshner.
Kirshner says his goal is to also help transcend party lines and ignite the candidates to focus on the issues.
"I believe that sticking to party lines really makes your representative, represent their party rather than the people," he said.
If he collects enough signatures to get on the ballot, Kirshner says his platform would be simple: to return the power of this country to the people by reforming politics in Washington.
"I plan to fight hard to take the big money out of elections. It's really blemished the democratic process. I think that people are starting to realize that their voice is really being overshadowed by special interests and corporations," said Kirshner.
Kirshner is realistic about the challenge ahead. He is taking on a well-known incumbent in Democrat Louise Slaughter. Calls to Slaughter's campaign office regarding this story have yet to be returned. Kirshner would also face Republican contender Mark Assini, who's also the Gates town supervisor.
Assini welcomes more millennials to get involved in the political process.
"It affirms what I have been saying all along, Congress is broken. Our representatives aren't representing. And the call for change is coming very loud from this congressional district and across the country," said Assini.
Kirshner believes, win or lose, his campaign will give Rochester what it deserves: another choice.
"We have an opportunity here to make history," he said.