The Democratic Minority Leader of the Monroe County Legislature, Ted O'Brien, announced his candidacy Thursday for the New York 55th Senate District. That's after Republican Senator James Alesi says he will not to seek re-election this fall.
O'Brien calls the district moderate, as well as himself, which he believes could be beneficial when voters head to the polls.
"I intend to be working really hard throughout the district," O'Brien says. "I'm not going to be able knock on every door, there are 8 towns in Ontario County alone, and so its a daunting task. But I'm going to do my best to get to voters to know me as a person as I can. I think that's going to be the key to my success."
O'Brien is a partner in the law firm Harris, Chesworth and O'Brien and has been on the Monroe County Legislature since 2004.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party selected Assemblyman Sean Hanna of the 130th District as its candidate Thursday. Hanna served as a Monroe County Legislator for eight years before being appointed by then-Governor George Pataki as the Regional Director for the Department of Environmental Conservation.
WXXI put in calls into Hanna's office. Those calls have not been returned.
The newly drawn New York State 55th Senate District includes Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford, East Rochester, Perinton, Rush, Mendon and parts of the city of Rochester. It also encompasses part of Ontario County: West and East Bloomfield, Richmond, Bristol, South Bristol, Canadice and Napels.