Rochester City Council President Lovely Warren officially announced Friday she wants to be Rochester's next mayor. The announcement also became a chance for some to vent about some of the politics that went on behind the scenes before the event.

"I believe the best man for the job for mayor just happens to be a woman."

Lovely Warren announced her intentions to run for Rochester Mayor at Fight Village Apartments for a reason.

"Just a block from here in 1964, a riot broke out that dramatically altered the course of this city."

Warren said too much recently has been focused on downtown development, and not enough on the city's other neighborhoods.

"I believe if the city taxpayer's money is going to be invested in major projects, that the people should see something in return, like jobs and affordable housing."

Warren wants safer streets, good schools, and community policing. She was short on specifics.

"That's what we'll do. I'll lay out my platform and so that stuff will be coming out in the next couple weeks. Today is just about the announcement."

Friday was more than just an announcement: it was politics.

Warren is Assemblyman David Gantt's chief of staff. He told reporters that Joe Morelle, chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, made promises that Warren would be the Democratic candidate in this election. But current mayor Tom Richards, who finished out Bob Duffy's term when he became Lt. Governor, decided he would run for reelection.

"This is the case where a commitment was made for him to finish the term and then leave. Now we get to the door and he's not leaving. That's not our fault," Gantt said.

I've been a Democrat since the 1960s when John Kennedy first ran and have always felt good about being a Democrat. But when we get people to make commitments and aren't transparent about what happened, then it's time to go."

Fellow city council member Adam McFadden doesn't believe the primary battle will affect city business.

"It's not uncommon for us to face a primary while we have operate under the oath we've taken, so I think the city will still move forward and conduct business. Everyone will be cordial but just in a political battle," said McFadden.

This isn't personal. It's about a vision for the city. I like Tom personally and I like Lovely personally, but it is not personal. This is about who we believe will be the best voice and best vision for our city."

Rochester Mayor Tom Richards says he does not have a political agenda but has a city agenda. He says he wants to finish out the initiatives and developments that are already underway in the city. He says he's not surprised he'll have to run in a primary.

"A primary makes another step in the process and whether or not it hurts my chances or not, I don't know I don't think so. That's the process you have to go through and that's the process I'll go through. I did it last time and I'll do it this time," Richards said.

"I look forward to hearing what she has to say and what sort of leadership she can bring to the City of Rochester, and I anticipate having plenty of opportunities to discuss her ideas, my ideas, Tom's ideas and anyone else's ideas because we need solutions, because what we are doing is not working," said Alex White, (G), mayoral candidate.

Primary day is Tuesday, September 10.