Two local NY Senate races remain too close to call

Rochester, N.Y. — Both the 55th and 56th New York State Senate districts have had long time Republican lawmakers who chose not to run for relection this year.

Statewide, Democrats are looking to flip both seats for a super majority in the Senate, which would give them the ability to override any veto by the governor.

In the 56th, Republican candidate Mike Barry took on Democratic Jeremy Cooney for the seat being vacated by outgoing Sen. Joseph Robach. And in the 55th, Democrat Samra Brouk and Republican Christopher Missick competed for the seat currently held by Sen. Rich Funke.

Tuesday night, both races were too close to call.

“We know that this year is going to be so different than previous years,” said Brouk. “We’re ready to be patient and for all the votes to be counted.”

Her opponent said he was disappointed he couldn’t gather with supporters to watch election returns come in due to the pandemic.

“This isn’t about me. This is a ‘thank you’ to the people who supported our campaign,” he said. “The saddest part is I can’t have hundreds and hundreds of people here. There’s a bittersweet element to it. There’s a bittersweet element to 2020.”

In both the 55th and 56th districts, Democrats have an enrollment edge. In the 55th, there are 42,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. In the 56th, it’s an advantage of 35,000.

The Democrats lead is expected to widen as absentee ballots are counted.