[3] Upon Cuomo's victory in the 2010 New York Gubernatorial Election, Duffy selected deputy mayor Thomas Richards to succeed him as interim-Mayor of Rochester, which he served from December 31, 2010, to January 18, 2011, when Richards resigned to ensure he could run in a special election without violating terms of the Hatch Act, which could have jeopardized federal funding.

Considered the favorite to win and ahead in most major polls, Richards did not focus much attention to campaigning, instead choosing to continue his duties as mayor and spending time at home in the midst of a family emergency.

Following his defeat in the Democratic Primary, Richards ended his active campaign and endorsed Warren for mayor, but was kept as the chosen candidate on the Independence and Working Families lines.

In response, Richards stated that he would serve if re-elected mayor but denied having any contact with the Independence Party campaign.

Many of Richards' proposals and policies were kept under the Warren Administration including the construction of the new RGRTA bus terminal and the Inner Loop urban renewal project.