Less than week after hinting at mayoral run, Lachance opts out

Doug Lachance (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Less than a week after hinting at a run for mayor this November Rochester City Councilor and former city mayor Doug Lachance said he has decided not to run after all.

On Feb. 13 Lachance told The Rochester Voice he was "leaning toward" a mayoral run, but on Friday, citing health concerns and workload, he said he had decided against it "after careful consideration and discussion with family and friends."

Lachance works full time as a Realtor and is also the owner of Stump City Cider.

Lachance served two terms as Rochester mayor beginning in 1997.

Current Mayor Caroline McCarley announced earlier this month she would be stepping down at the end of June to begin a retirement on Cape Cod, which would place Deputy Mayor Elaine Lauterborn as mayor until next November's election.

No one else beside Lachance has announced or hinted at a run.

Lachance said on Friday he was also dropping out because he "wanted to give others who may be interested (in running for mayor) as much opportunity to plan."

In the last several years Lachance has battled skin cancer. He also contracted and survived COVID-19 early on in the pandemic.