Rachel Barnhart, a former TV reporter and founder of Rochester For All, is running for a seat in the Monroe County legislature.

Barnhart announced Tuesday that she would be campaigning for the 21st District seat.

The Monroe County Democrats have already endorsed Victor Sanchez for the position, but Barnhart's campaign will force a Democratic primary, should they get enough signatures to get on the ballot.

The endorsement for Sanchez prompted some district committee members to go on social media and dispute the designating process. A letter, cosigned by several committee members, said ballots for a second vote to break a tie were not sealed or secured in a lock box.

They added that scheduling a second vote fell out outside bylaws. A party spokesperson says both votes were done in accordance within the bylaws. However, the members that cosigned say they believe this process was unfair to both Sanchez and Barnhart. 

"Anyone who wants to run, party backed or not, has to petition to get on the ballot," Barnhart said. "I will be doing that and there will likely be a primary on June 25."

Barnhart previously ran for Congress, campaigning for the seat left by the death of Lousie Slaughter. She lost that primary to Rep. Joe Morelle in 2018.

Barnhart also ran for State Assembly in 2016 and Rochester mayor in 2017, but lost both those races in primaries, to Harry Bronson (D-138) and Lovely Warren (D), respectively. 

Barnhart's Rochester for All is described as a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to accountable, transparent and ethical government. She also does communications consulting for causes and campaigns.