ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Republican Richard Funke (FUHN'-kee) has defeated Democratic New York state Sen. Ted O'Brien to represent Rochester and help the GOP in its bid for majority control of the Senate.
O'Brien is a freshman senator. He was considered vulnerable and targeted by state Republicans who helped fund the campaign of Funke, a retired television broadcaster well known in the region.
The seat was considered one of the keys in determining whether the 63-seat Senate will have a Democratic or Republican majority next year.
The Senate Republicans need to gain three seats to get majority control on their own. For the past four years, they've shared control over legislation in the chamber in a majority coalition with a handful of breakaway Democrats.
The 55th District includes parts of Monroe and Ontario counties.