ROCHESTER, N.Y. — More than 48 hours have passed since Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren’s home was raided by New York State Police, and her husband was arrested on gun and drug charges.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Lovely Warren's husband, 42-year-old Timothy Granison, was arrested on federal gun and drug charges Wednesday

  • Warren held a news conference Thursday, in which she said she "did nothing wrong" and claimed the timing of this situation is suspicious and politically motivated

  • A political scientist doesn’t believe the case will affect Warren's chances in the Democratic primary next month
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Rochesterians on Friday spoke about the charges against the mayor's husband and their thoughts on the mayor, herself.

“It did surprise me,” Arianna Shands, of Rochester, said. “I kind of thought that she was really cool, so I didn’t see that coming. So I feel bad for her. Then you have to wonder if she knew about it?”

Other people hate the spotlight it’s putting on the city.

“It’s just not a good look for the city altogether because as the mayor, you’re representing everybody, and your husband is representing you as a wife,” said Aereiana Rounds, of Rochester.

While Rounds believes it’s not a great look for the city, she doesn’t believe it’s the mayor’s fault.

“It’s a terrible situation to be in,” said Rounds. “I feel bad for her mostly, but it’s a terrible situation to be in.”

Timothy Kneeland, a professor in history and political science, and director of research, scholarship and innovation at Nazareth College in Pittsford, says, “It doesn’t implicate the mayor at all.”

“You would need some direct evidence," he added. "All it does mean is it’s a tragedy in terms of the family unit. They have a daughter.”

Kneeland said Warren is the “youngest mayor ever elected. First Black female elected. Comes from the community. Has had her own struggles. I think the mayor is a very sympathetic character to many people in the community who see her as a survivor. Somebody who has come through triumph, but continues to see herself attacked by people.” 

The political scientist doesn’t believe the case will affect Warren's chances in the primary next month, but adds the general election in November could be a challenge for the mayor, if her support in the Democratic Party wavers.

“I think that there’s many Democrats who are not as sympathetic, and are concerned about the mayor’s ability to govern going forward,” he said.

Kneeland says there’s a chance Malik Evans could appear on the November ballot, even if he loses the June Democratic primary.

“If there’s fractures within the Democratic Party, and Malik was able to bring in people who are not aligned with either political party, as well as some disinfected Republicans who might vote against Lovely Warren, Malik would still be on the Working Families Party line, so even if he loses the primary, Malik Evans would still remain on the ballot and could be a viable for many citizens in November,” Kneeland.

When asked about who she might vote for in the June Democratic primary, Rounds said, “I’m going to have to do my own research and look into it, but I’m not sure yet.”

Arianna Shands, who is new to Rochester, hopes the mayor weathers the storm with her husband.

“I hope that everything works out, and that she is able to get through it,” Shands said.