I am the best candidate because I bring lived Rochester experience and operator discipline. Rochester raised me through RPS and John Marshall. I am an American Somali immigrant, cancer survivor, husband, father, entrepreneur, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and Rochester Downtown Alliance board member. I have led teams, built analytics systems, and turned messy problems into measurable action. I do not just talk about transparency. I know how to build systems that track work, show results, and force follow-through. I will be a mayor who hears residents, measures what matters, acts, and reports back.

My top three priorities are affordability, OpenRochester transparency, and public safety. Affordability comes first because housing, utilities, taxes, and childcare are squeezing families. Transparency matters because residents should not need a finance degree to understand City Hall. Safety means fully staffed emergency response, prevention, mental health support, and neighborhoods that feel secure.

I will make City Hall easier to see and harder to hide behind. I will push plain language budgets, project dashboards, ward scorecards, lifecycle costs before major votes, and public tracking of promises, timelines, overruns, and outcomes. I will strengthen ethics expectations, disclose conflicts clearly, and make OpenRochester a real accountability tool.

I will not treat public input as a checkbox. I will hold ward-based office hours, meet residents before decisions are locked in, use surveys and community meetings, and keep online feedback tools open year-round. Most important, I will close the loop. If residents raise an issue, City Hall should track it, answer it, and report what changed.

Public safety starts with trust, staffing, and prevention. I will support fully staffed police, fire, and emergency response while expanding data-driven problem solving, mental health response, youth outreach, and neighborhood partnerships. Residents should see response times, staffing needs, and safety trends by area so we can fix problems before they grow.

Unlike other candidates campaign promises, I have a proven voting record confirming my allegiance to people over big money and partisan politics. As a Rochester City Council member, HS science teacher, Girl scout leader, hospice volunteer, parent of kids with special needs, and community advocate, I know collaboration, sustainability, safety, and social justice are essential as Rochester expands. I whistle blew government corruption and wasteful spending, protected tax dollars, and defended constitutional rights. I have PROVEN my integrity and resilience. What I promised to do, I have done. I now promise as your Mayor, I will fiercely protect your tax dollars, amplify your needs, and promote a safe, honest, and affordable city to call home.

Top priorities: Government fiscal accountability, safe affordable living, and transparent community engagement. I authentically care about people, Rochester residents deserve to live in a community they can afford, feel safe in, have their ideas heard, and trust their leaders. I am in-touch with working family’s needs, I'm not afraid to speak truth to power, and believe integrity and transparency are the foundations of public trust. What I promise, I deliver. I promise to put residents first.

Integrity matters. I will continue to demand competitive bids, department audits, disclose detailed receipts, and insist all meetings are recorded and accessible. As an elected official, I exposed law violations/bribes. I refused to increase property taxes due to wasteful spending, and asked hard questions that unveiled possible fraud. As mayor, I will uphold the law and halt cronyism by using the mayor budget to bring records to the public, so names are made public. Transparency is Trust.

On day one, I’ll announce monthly recorded public listening sessions, virtual & in-person. I will hold participatory budgeting town halls, have office hours, visit local businesses, and pick up the phone for resident calls. I will advocate for diverse boards/commissions and ensure residents, community leaders, and local businesses are incorporated into City Hall decisions. Integrity matters. What I promise, I deliver. I promise my allegiance will always be the needs of Rochester residents first.

I support Chief Franklin that RPD hiring must focus on integrity first. I’ve shadowed RPD patrol during shifts, attended community policing academies, and researched police reform. Detailed records, transparency, victim advocacy, diversity training, and collaboration with County, School District, and MH experts are also crucial. As mayor, I’ll work with neighborhoods, businesses, and empower our Police Policy Oversight Commission to ensure safety standards and accountability are priority.

I believe Rochester’s best days are ahead of us, and that our future depends on leadership that listens, brings people together, and delivers results. Over the past 20 years, I’ve led teams and advanced initiatives across healthcare, business, education, nonprofit, and community organizations, overseeing more than $100 million in strategic initiatives. For more than a decade, I’ve worked to serve, protect, and uplift our community as President of the Rochester NAACP. I’m a Healthcare Director, have led businesses, and hold a Doctorate in Ethical Leadership, an MBA, and certifications including PMP and Organizational Change Management. At the core is a belief that every person deserves to feel heard, valued, respected, and included.

My top three priorities are housing affordability and cost of living, creating a welcoming Rochester where everyone belongs, and expanding economic opportunity. Residents need affordable housing, lower costs, and opportunities to thrive. They also deserve a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Supporting small businesses and strengthening our workforce will build a stronger future for Rochester. Together, we can build a Rochester that works for everyone—not just some.

Public trust is the foundation of effective government. My doctoral research, informed by community voices, led me to develop the TEACH Framework: Trust, Empathy, Accountability, Cultural Awareness, and Honest and Inclusive Communication. These principles will guide my leadership. I will communicate openly, expand public engagement, make city information more accessible, and uphold the highest ethical standards so residents know City Hall listens, acts with integrity, and puts the public first.

Effective leadership begins with listening. I will engage residents through community conversations, town halls, and in-person and virtual listening sessions to ensure every voice is heard. In 2021, as President of the Rochester NAACP, I called for a public transparency and accountability dashboard. As Mayor, I will collaborate with the City Council and City Administration to implement it, improve access to city information, and involve residents early in decision-making to build public trust.

Every resident deserves to feel safe. I believe public safety and justice go hand in hand. We can support good policing while having the courage to speak up when improvements are needed. As Mayor, I will support law enforcement by providing the resources necessary to protect our community while being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, strengthen community policing, and partner with the County, mental health providers, and community organizations to build trust and keep Rochester safe.

I am the best candidate for the position because I want to do this for the people of Rochester rather than myself or some special interest. I will also willingly resign my current position with the state to serve the people of Rochester full time.

Rochester also deserves a mayor who will be ready to lead on day one. Since I am the only candidate with experience governing over 120,000 people, while overseeing a budget worth hundreds of millions of dollars, contributing to and supporting a robust strategic plan, and cooperating with other governmental leaders and community members to achieve necessary goals for those we serve, I am the right person for the job.

Affordability, reliability, and transparency are my broader priorities. Additional concerns include the need for to create a more accessible and inclusive community.

When local governments center individuals with disabilities, immigrants, children, senior citizens, and other groups in decision making, they build a community that benefits everyone. When people feel they belong and their local leaders care about them, we become more capable of working together to find solutions to our issues.

Leading by example would be my primary strategy. If I conduct myself in ways that signal that conducting yourself with integrity is the minimum expectation it sets the tone and climate of city government. I would also take seriously concerns of misconduct or issues with workplace relations. Addressing those concerns head on will lead to healthy workplace cultures.

I would champion a multimodal and multilingual approach to effectively engage the community. We need to ensure they have the information they need and access to multiple opportunities to make their voices heard.

A robust, coordinated communication strategy to use social media, news media, in-person meetings, city council and mayor member led community meetings, and collaborate with community leaders who can also spread the word and also receive feedback in multiple languages will be crucial.

The first step is to exercise the mayor's Charter-given authority to appoint a police chief who believes all residents of our city should be protected from those that mean to do them harm.

Public safety is also not just the police (e.g., Fire). Other departments are also deserving of resources necessary to ensure the safety of our public. A review of budget priorities and a thorough audit would be needed to ensure other aspects of community safety are effectively supported.

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I have a vision where everyone is welcome, no matter their station, to pursue their dreams and add to our diverse fabric. I am a champion for everyday people, the vulnerable, and local businesses. I am a servant first. Having served with AmeriCorps at Churchill Elementary, I learned the needs of working families. I've spoken to the school board, city council, and county commission on education, homelessness, and public safety, advocating for women and children. Independent and not beholden to donors, I have the energy to fight division and take on our toughest challenges. I am a father of three, raised working class. My background in public service, health coaching, and personal training is dedicated to human potential and goal oriented.

My priorities for Rochester are informed by the residents I have spoken to, and I will heed their call. First, affordability—housing, cost of living, and childcare. Second, balancing growth with the needs of our working families so it never outpaces our community’s character. Third, investing in essential infrastructure and public safety, like police, fire, and sewers, all while keeping taxes low to protect homeowners and our vulnerable seniors. As mayor, I will fight for the people's needs.

Ethics, accountability, and transparency are the highest order for government. I will engage regularly with citizens, encourage meeting attendance, and be honest about our challenges. I will champion a public budget dashboard and open channels for feedback. I will partner with local media to keep you informed on projects affecting daily life. Above all, I will be on the ground, working with people, canvassing, and interfacing directly to ensure I am always held accountable to you.

I will use every tool to encourage civic engagement. I will utilize traditional media, social media, email, newsletters, texts, apps, and town halls to keep you informed and listen. I will champion events that give citizens an active role. Nothing beats meeting people directly; as a fitness professional, I have the energy to keep pace. I will be on the ground, canvassing, and working side-by-side with you to ensure your voice is always heard.

I’ll work with Chief Franklin, Chief Pooler, and the council to ensure they have the resources needed. I will bolster emergency preparation and build on the community engagement our police and fire departments have implemented. I will partner with county officials to ensure our first responders have the support to focus on their mission of serving and protecting, while investing in mental health. Together, we will balance safety and accountability to make our city a model for the country

Rochester has been my family's home for four generations. I have spent more than four decades creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and investing in our community. Through my experience leading businesses, working alongside nonprofits, and partnering with residents across Rochester, I understand both the opportunities and challenges our city faces. I am not running to represent special interests or political agendas, I am running to put Rochester first. I bring a practical, results-driven approach focused on listening, building consensus, and ensuring city government works efficiently and effectively for the people it serves. My goal is to help Rochester remain a safe, affordable, and thriving community for generations to come.

My top priorities will be affordability, public safety, and responsible growth. I will focus on keeping Rochester affordable by supporting housing options for all income levels and ensuring city decisions consider their impact on taxpayers. I will support strong public safety services and ensure first responders have the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. I will promote thoughtful growth that strengthens infrastructure, supports local businesses, and preserves Rochester.

Trust in government begins with transparency. As mayor, I will prioritize open communication, clear reporting on city decisions and spending, and meaningful opportunities for public input. I believe residents deserve to understand how decisions are made and how tax dollars are being used. I will encourage a culture of accountability throughout city government, establish clear expectations for ethical conduct, and ensure decisions are made in the best interest of Rochester residents.

Listening will be one of my most important responsibilities as mayor. I will meet with residents, neighborhood groups, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community organizations to hear their concerns and ideas. I will use town halls, community meetings, online engagement, and direct outreach to ensure people have multiple ways to participate. Good decisions happen when city leaders listen first, and I am committed to making sure every resident has a voice in Rochester's future.

I will support a well-trained, well-equipped police department and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Public safety requires collaboration among police, fire, emergency services, schools, businesses, and residents. I will work to ensure first responders have the resources they need while encouraging community engagement and proactive strategies that build trust, prevent crime, and keep Rochester a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

When my neighborhood faced years of blight and business closures, I didn’t wait for someone else to step in; I got to work. As President of the Lowertown Neighborhood Association, I brought neighbors and businesses together to confront our challenges and restore our confidence. I’ve spent years listening to residents and finding practical solutions when others said it was too difficult or even impossible. That work led to my appointment as Chair of a City commission, where I continue to deliver results for you. As a small business owner, I’ve learned to solve difficult problems and keep moving forward no matter what. Rochester deserves leadership that listens, takes ownership, and gets things done, and that’s the kind of leader I am.

My first priority is to use every available tool to increase housing supply and ensure Rochester remains affordable for both young and old. My second priority is supporting small businesses. I fought for my neighborhood through years of disruption, and I will exercise that same determination for you citywide. My third priority is improving communication between City Hall and you, the public. You deserve a mayor who shows up, listens, and fights to make sure your voices are heard.

As your mayor, I will strengthen transparency through clear communication systems and active listening. I will expand your access to information by working closely with our communications team. I will embed accountability by requiring clear explanations of decisions and outcomes and then openly owning the results, whether good or bad. You deserve a government that earns trust through consistent, transparent action.

I will engage first as a listener, then as your champion. Residents deserve more than just a chance to speak into the ether; they deserve to know that their concerns are being heard and acted upon. I will bring City Hall into your neighborhoods, expand opportunities for your input, and make sure you know you are welcome into the decision-making process. My job is to listen carefully to you and fight for meaningful community involvement with results that match your voices.

Public safety is strongest when trust exists between residents and law enforcement. I will advocate for a renewed focus on community policing by bringing our police leadership into our neighborhoods to listen and learn. If a school of 1,500 students deserves a liaison officer, a beleaguered neighborhood of 4,500 residents does too. We should be working hand in hand with our neighborhood leaders, faith leaders, and residents to address concerns before they become crises.