When 134th Assembly district incumbent Peter Lawrence announced he wouldn’t seek another term in office, it opened the door for some new faces in the district representing the towns of Greece, Ogden, and Parma. 

Four candidates are on the ballot for the election.

Carolyn Carrol (D) & Josh Jensen (R)

Carolyn Carrol is a newcomer to politics. The Democrat was born in Rochester. The resident of Greece has lived on the west side for most of her life.

"Every election is important, but I believe this election is even more so," said Carrol. "We need someone who will be honest, someone with integrity, someone who will be a voice for the district of 134."

Republican Josh Jensen says his family has a long history of public service. The Greece town board member, who worked in the office of retiring state Senator Joe Robach for eight years, wants to take that sense of history to Albany.

"I think right now, with the things that are going on in our nation and our state, especially with the impact of the coronavirus, there's no time for on the job training," said Jensen. 

Jensen lists education, infrastructure funding, and lowering taxes among his top priorities.

"We need to have somebody who's willing to go up and use the megaphone of their office and fight for positive change," he said. "And being able to work with every member of the legislature for the betterment of all people."

Carrol is a fraud investigator for the Monroe County Department of Human Services. Her top priorities are government transparency and protecting working-class families.

"I am not a politician," she said. "I am a public servant, and my experience has definitely played a role. I believe that we should represent the people and be a voice for the people."

Dylan Dailor (WF) & Ericka Jones (G)

Two minor party candidates are also on the ballot in the 134th Assembly district. Dylan Dailor is running for the Working Families Party, while Ericka Jones is the Green Party candidate. 

Campaigning in a pandemic means fewer traditional opportunities for candidates to meet voters face to face. The 134th Assembly district candidates are leaning on digital messages and campaign mailings, and the knowledge that in a presidential election year, a whole lot of people will be coming out to vote.