By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service
A pretty convincing victory on Tuesday night, Laurie. Well, how did you do it?
With that question kicking off a five-minute conversation with Video News Service this morning, Laurie Mancuso said it was her “change is needed” grassroots campaign that propelled her past incumbent Rochelle Stein in the Republican Party primary for the Town of Le Roy (District No. 5) seat on the Genesee County Legislature.
Mancuso received 340 votes while Stein received 121 votes across the town’s eight precincts.
Mancuso said she thought the race was tight going into the primary, but the results indicated, to her, that “the message sent by our community is that change is needed.”
“And that’s really been the focus of my message – that people need someone that they can get reconnected to, and they’re just not feeling that connection in today’s environment. So, I gave them that choice and that appealed to them.”
She also pointed to her campaign – which was supported by the Le Roy Town Board – as a key factor.
“My focus was on getting out and talking to as many people as possible,” she said. “During that process, the message was clear that a change was needed as well. So, even though I was hearing about it, I wasn’t banking on it in terms of how the votes would come out. I think by the results, people were pretty passionate about the need for a change.”
When asked if residents talked about specific issues during her campaign, Mancuso said it depended on where people lived in the town.
“I asked them that question, what is most concerning to them? So, on the outskirts where they don’t have water, that has been a major concern. And, of course, the communication, just not hearing and even not knowing who their county legislator is. They just don’t know what’s being done for them.”
Mancuso shared that a man called her after voting to express why he voted for her.
“He said it was because in the 17 years he lived in his home, no candidate had ever come to his door and sat down and talked to him about what’s on his mind,” she said. “That confirmed to me that that’s what is needed in this community. They need that connection and that’s the connection I’m going to bring.”
She said she heard that the Democratic Party is preparing to put forth a candidate in the general election in November but wouldn’t comment further.
Also contacted on Wednesday morning, Stein, the current chair of the Genesee County Legislature, thanked the “support of voters who came out for the primary.”
“I’m proud of the positive and respectful campaign I ran in Le Roy,” she said. “I am grateful for the unwavering support of my family and friends.”
Previously, she indicated that her name will be on the Responsible Government Party line in November.