The Canandaigua City Democratic Committee has selected a stellar class of candidates for mayor and city council at-large in 2025. The Democratic slate includes:
Thomas Lyon, candidate for City of Canandaigua Mayor
Sim Covington, re-elect for Canandaigua City Council at-Large
Doug Merrill, re-elect for Canandaigua City Council at-Large
John “JT” Squires, candidate for Canandaigua City Council at-Large
Gwen Van Laeken, re-elect for Canandaigua City Council at-Large
Thomas Lyon Thomas, a 4th generation Canandaigua resident and 1998 graduate of Canandaigua Academy brings his more than a decade of planning and economic development experience to his candidacy for mayor. Thomas currently serves as a City of Canandaigua Councilmember at-Large. Thomas has an Associates from FLCC, and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Buffalo. Thomas currently chairs the Climate Smart Community Taskforce and is the elected representative to the Canandaigua Local Development Corporation. He lives in Ward 4 with his wife Danielle (2002 Canandaigua Academy graduate).
Sim Covington Dr. Sim J. Covington, Jr., the Chief Diversity Officer at Finger Lakes Community College, is running for re-election as an at-Large member of the Canandaigua City Council. He is an accomplished educational leader and holds degrees from the University at Albany, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Empire State College, Northeastern University, and the University of Alabama. Sim has worked with several law enforcement agencies in our area on diversity training and is a member of Rotary International and the Canandaigua Rotary Club. He lives in Canandaigua’s Ward 2.
Doug Merrill Doug brings skills developed during a 40-year career at RIT as a scientist, educator, and administrator to his re-election campaign to the City of Canandaigua Council, at-Large. He retired from RIT in 2020 and now serves on the boards of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance, and the Ewing Canandaigua Forum, and is active with the Canandaigua Rotary Club and the Canandaigua Scientific Association. Doug lives in Canandaigua Ward 3 with his wife Debra Martin.
John “JT” Squires JT is a newcomer to elected office, running for an at-Large seat on Canandaigua City Council but he is not new to community and civic service. He is currently a Professional Academic Tutor at Finger Lakes Community College, previously was a Community Resource Navigator for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and serves on the City of Canandaigua Zoning Board of Appeals. JT is a member of the Canandaigua Kiwanis Club and lives in the city’s Ward 2.
Gwen Van Laeken Gwen is running for re-election to Canandaigua City Council as an at-Large candidate. She is an experienced nonprofit leader with deep roots in civic engagement, public policy, and community development, and currently serves as Executive Director of the Partnership for Ontario County. A Canandaigua resident since 2013, Gwen and her family value the city’s walkable neighborhoods, vibrant small business life, and beautiful community parks.
