After City Council member Molly Clifford declared she will not seek re-election for the Northwest District seat, three Democratic candidates have stepped up to the plate for the primary.

Candidates running for the seat include LaShana Boose, Leticia Astacio and Jose Peo.

LaShana Boose, who is endorsed by the Monroe County Democrats, says she's closely connected to the community and engages in local organizations that changes peoples’ lives for the better. She also strongly believes in letting her work speak for itself.

“I’ve been here for one sole purpose and that is to represent this community and make sure their issues are heard on all levels,” said Boose. “Each neighborhood has it’s own distinct flavors so it’s not about trying to make everybody happy with this one solid plan, you want to make sure that the issues of the individuals that you’re looking to represent, which is the Northwest, are being heard.”

Former Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio is also running for the seat. She says despite criticism over past legal troubles, she’s receiving support from those that matter the most: the people in her district.

“A lot of people just don’t have a good quality of life here and I think it’s time that we stop ignoring those people to try and convince other people to come if the people who are here aren’t happy. We need to address them first,” said Astacio. “I hope that we get a person who represents everyone.”

Jose Peo, vice president of the Charlotte Community Association, says his platform includes getting local businesses involved with schools and increasing home ownership of those within the district.

“We have over 475 empty homes, lots, zombie homes in the Northwest alone and that is terrible and we need to get those houses off of owing money for taxes and into the hands of first time home buyers… I want to be the voice of the people because I am a leader in my community not 'Hey, here I am, vote for me because then I’ll do something,' it’s, 'I’ve already been doing something, so let’s take it to the next level.'”

This year's primary election is Tuesday, June 25.

Each candidate agrees that beyond first-term City Council member Clifford’s departure, the focus will remain on the residents within the district.