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Rachel Barnhart Leaves Channel 8; No Announcement Yet About Political Plans

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Well-known local TV anchor Rachel Barnhart is leaving her job as news anchor at WROC-TV.

In a Facebook post Barnhart announced that Thursday is her last day at News 8.

She said that all she ever wanted to do as a journalist was “report in the community I love, “ and said that for 18 years she’s fought to tell stories “that matter and find the truth.”

Barnhart goes on to say that it’s time to make a difference in a different way, and will “have more on future plans in the coming days.”

It’s been widely rumored that Barnhart is considering a primary run against Democratic Assemblyman Harry Bronson. That speculation increased after a poll was commissioned in March that floated Barnhart’s name as a potential challenger to Bronson.

The Vice President and General Manager at WROC-TV, Louis Gattozzi said that Barnhart will be missed, and said that with the talk of a potential run for the Assembly, the station made a conscious effort to steer her away from stories that might present a possible conflict of interest.

He says the station is in final discussions about who will replace Barnhart.

If Barnhart does run for the Assembly, she will have to beat an incumbent as well as do it without the backing of the Monroe County Democratic Committee and the Working Families Party which have endorsed Bronson.

Bronson says he's ready to run a campaign if someone runs against him, but sounds confident about what he's accomplished in office up to this point.

“I think my record stands for itself and I think that the people in the district will be supportive of what I’ve done and will continue to support me as a result.”

Bronson says his main focus in Albany has been on working to increase the minimum wage, helping support paid family leave and more state aid for schools.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.