ROCHESTER, NY – Greek-native George Mitris, a Republican, is running for election to the U.S. House to represent New York’s 25th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled for June 23 of this year.

The 25th District, now located entirely and exclusively within Monroe County, centered on the city of Rochester, is currently represented by Democrat Joseph Morelle.

Mitris, a local businessman and attorney, announced his run for Congress on February 17, WXXI News reported, adding that “this will be Mitris’ first run for public office.”

“Mitris said that mitigating the effects of lakeshore flooding is one of his top priorities,” WXXI reported.

Mitris made the announcement at the press conference at Ontario Beach Park, noting his plans, “To fight for people who live along the lakeshore whose homes and businesses have been damaged by the lake flooding. To work with the IJC [International Joint Commission], and to bring the resources of Congress to bear to compensate them and to fix the problem,” WXXI reported.

Of his plans for the Rochester City School District, Mitris said that he will “fight for the children in the city schools, to make sure that they get the education they deserve, to work with Mayor Lovely Warren, to work with [Assembly Member David] Gantt and anybody else to make sure that the education system does not continue to fail them,” WXXI reported.

Former Gates Town Supervisor Mark Assini said that he “will be working with Mitris develop his platform,” WXXI reported.

“I’ve been asked to be the policy consultant on the campaign and I’m honored to do that. I’ll be working with George on different issues and doing as much research as I can for him,” Assini said, WXXI reported.

Mitris said that he will also “fight for the ‘American Dream’ for citizens; something he says is close to home as both he and his wife immigrated to the U.S. from Greece and North Macedonia, respectively,” WXXI reported.

“I’m an immigrant I understand what it means to be looking for a sanctuary and America should continue to do that,” he said, WXXI reported, adding that “this welcome does not extend to those who do not, as he put it, ‘wish us good.’”

Mitris came to U.S. at the age of 8 with his family and is now a personal injury attorney, WROC News reported.

Immigration policy is also a top issue for Mitris who, according to Assini, will be “taking a harder stance,” WXXI reported.  will also be taking a Assini, who is slated to advise Mitris on policy, said that the issue of immigration for him, means taking a harder stance.

Mitris also told reporters that his daughter, Skylar, encouraged him to run for Congress, telling her father, “Dad, you love people, I’ve seen you fight for your clients, you are a good person and you will never be corrupted by politics and the community needs you. You need to do this,” WROC News reported.

The Republican primary is scheduled for June 23. The general election takes place on November 3.