Events
Support the 2025 City of Canandaigua Candidates
The City of Canandaigua Democrats will hold their 2025 campaign kickoff fundraiser on June 3rd at 3:00pm.
Join us in supporting Thomas Lyon (mayoral candidate) and (at-large city council candidates) Sim Covington, Doug Merrill, J.T. Squires and Gwen Van Laken. The event will take place at 190 St. Johns Court in Canandaigua (at the home of Audrey Roberson and Michael Mills).
$50 suggested minimum contribution
Host Committee - $250 (let us know if you'd like to join the host committee)
(let us know if you'd like to join the host committee)
The event will feature snacks, wine, beer and great conversation, with remarks from the candidates. Help us get out of the gates with the resources necessary to secure victory in November.
Unable to attend? Donate today: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/cdgacitydems
Join us in supporting Thomas Lyon (mayoral candidate) and (at-large city council candidates) Sim Covington, Doug Merrill, J.T. Squires and Gwen Van Laken. The event will take place at 190 St. Johns Court in Canandaigua (at the home of Audrey Roberson and Michael Mills).
$50 suggested minimum contribution
Host Committee - $250 (let us know if you'd like to join the host committee)
- Ryan Wilmer
- Michael Mills and Audrey Roberson
(let us know if you'd like to join the host committee)
The event will feature snacks, wine, beer and great conversation, with remarks from the candidates. Help us get out of the gates with the resources necessary to secure victory in November.
Unable to attend? Donate today: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/cdgacitydems
NEWS
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Canandaigua City Democrats Announce 2025 Candidate Slate
Mayoral and Council Candidates to Carry on Local Democratic LeadershipMarch 3, 2025 (Canandaigua, NY) – Today, the Canandaigua City Democratic Committee formally announces their candidate slate for the 2025 elections. The Democrats offer a full slate, including mayoral and four council at-large candidates, with tremendous local government, business, nonprofit and community experience. "This is one of the deepest pools of candidates we’ve ever put forward," said Canandaigua City Democratic Committee Chairman Ryan Wilmer. "Four of the five candidates have already successfully served on Canandaigua City Council, and we welcome one newcomer who has been an advocate for our community through professional, volunteer and civic service." The Democratic slate includes:
“Democrats, including our slate of candidates, have played a key role in shaping the positive direction of Canandaigua in recent years,” said Canandaigua City Democratic Committee Secretary and Ward 1 City Councilman, Michael Mills. “The record of our elected officials and candidates proves a commitment to fiscal responsibility, strategic deployment of public safety resources, environmental sustainability, and successful economic development, including securing the recent New York State DRI $10 million grant.” More details about each candidate is included below: 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 “J.T.” Squires J.T. 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 case manager with Family Promise, and previously served as a Community Resource Navigator for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, Professional Academic Tutor at Finger Lakes Community College, and serves on the City of Canandaigua Zoning Board of Appeals. J.T. 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. |