When crickets could be heard during the search for Joe Morelle's successor as Monroe County Democratic Committee chair four years ago, Jamie Romeo stepped forward and took the post.

Thursday, Rome won her first public election and is now positioned to succeed Morelle again; this time as the representative for New York's 136th Assembly District seat which represents Irondequoit, Brighton and parts of Rochester. 

Romeo defeated Jaclyn Richard and Todd Grady in the 136th's Democratic primary, gathering more than 60 percent of the vote.

Morelle helped Romeo supporters celebrate the victory at Murph's in Irondequoit Thursday evening. She says she's come a long way from a young adult who organized beach cleanups to a first-time winner of a state legislative election.

"I hope this can be a story for a kid who started out as an eight year old,  just cleaning up the beach because she wanted to do something positive in her life. And that if you work hard and are dedicated into something you're really passionate about, you can go on to do great things," Romeo said.

Richard received nearly a quarter of the priamry vote. She was did not respond to requests to speak to Spectrum News following the election. Richard is the leader of Rochester NOW and presented a progressive platform that she feels is under attack by the federal government; especially when it comes to women's reproductive rights and health care.

Todd Grady ran a grass roots campaign. The former journalist is proud of his first run for office and supports Jamie Romeo's bid in the general electioni  .

"We have to be a unified party, we have a lot of challenges nationally. We need to continue to fight for economic development, jobs, our city's future as far as the poverty, education. Many challenges lie ahead."

​As the Democratic candidate in the general election, Romeo will not face a major party candidate in November, assuring the people of the 136th that a woman who once served as Chief of Staff of State Senator Ted O'Brien's office will represent them in the Democratic-controlled assembly.