The Committee for a Strong Economy, the political action committee of the Rochester Business Alliance, announced its endorsements in 26 local races, including Monroe County executive, district attorney, Rochester City Council and Monroe County Legislature.

Sandy Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance and a PAC member, said the endorsements provide important information that voters need before heading to the polls on Nov. 8.

"We put some tough questions to the candidates, on topics such as budget deficits, the need for more efficient and transparent government, and pushed them for their ideas on improving the regional economy and our city schools," said Sandy Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance.

"PAC members went into this process with a very open, nonpartisan approach, but with very specific issues they wanted discussed. In the end, those candidates who received our endorsements demonstrated to us they had clearer vision and a greater willingness to work collaboratively to resolve the issues facing our community.

Parker said PAC members had invited all major party candidates in the local races, including city school board, to appear before them.

"In cases where we did not make an endorsement, it was either because we had insufficient information on the candidate, the candidate chose not to participate in our process, or we felt those who interviewed fell short of our expectations and didn't merit our support," Parker said

The list of endorsements is as follows:

• County Executive: Maggie Brooks (R/I/C)
• District Attorney: Sandra Doorley (D)
• City Council
  East District: Elaine Spaull (D/I/WF)
  Northeast District: Lovely Warren (D)
  Northwest District: Carla Palumbo (D/I)
  South District: Adam McFadden (D)
• County Legislature
  District 1 (Greece, Ogden, Parma): Richard Yolevich (R/I/C)
  District 2 (Clarkson, Hamlin, Sweden): Mike Rockow (R/I/C)
  District 5 (Henrietta, Mendon, Pittsford, Rush): Karla Boyce (R/I/C)
  District 6 (Greece): Richard Beebe (D/WF)
  District 7 (Greece): Rick Antelli (R/I/C)
  District 10 (East Rochester, Pittsford): Anthony Daniele (R/I/C)
  District 11 (Perinton): Mike Barker (R/I/C)
  District 12 (Chili, Henrietta, Riga, Wheatland): Jeff Adair (R/I/C)
  District 13 (Henrietta, Pittsford): John Howland (R/I/C)
  District 15 (Penfield, Webster): Dan Quatro (R/I/C)
  District 16 (Irondequoit): Vincent Esposito (D/I)
  District 17 (Irondequoit): M. Edward "Ted" O'Brien (D/I/WF)
  District 18 (East Rochester, Perinton): Darren Miller (D/WF)
  District 19 (Greece, Parma): Jeffery L. McCann (R/I/C)
  District 21 (Rochester): Carrie Andrews (D/I/WF)
  District 23 (Brighton, Rochester): Paul Haney (D/I/WF)
  District 24 (Brighton, Rochester): Joshua Bauroth (D/I/WF)
  District 25 (Rochester): John Lightfoot (D)
  District 26 (Rochester, Gates, Greece): C. Stephen Eckel (D/WF)
  District 28: (Rochester): Cynthia Kaleh (D/I/WF)

The Committee for a Strong Economy is the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the Rochester Business Alliance. The PAC is made up of representatives of some, but not all, Rochester Business Alliance members as some RBA members cannot by law participate in a PAC endorsement process. The PAC members are:

• Canandaigua National Bank & Trust
• First Niagara Risk Management & Financial Group
• Jasco Family of Companies
• LaBella Associates, P.C.
• Precision Grinding & Manufacturing Corporation
• Rochester Business Alliance
• Rochester Hispanic Business Association
• Rogers Enterprises/Dock Hardware
• Small Business Council of Rochester
• The Lifetime Healthcare Companies

The committee has invited RBA members to a reception featuring the endorsed candidates from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Rochester Business Alliance, 150 State St. downtown. For more information or to register, members can contact Colleen DiMartino at (585) 256-4627.