State Senate Shifts

The State Senate saw a dramatic shift on Election Night, as Democrats took control for the first time since 1965. Democrats now control both houses of the Legislature, the Governor's office, and the four other statewide elected office for the first time since 1935. Here in Western New York, the State Senate races did not turn out to be decisive in the statewide battle for control. Republican Mike Ranzenhofer retained the the 61st State Senate District for the Republicans, by barely defeating former boxer Joe Mesi. Incumbent Republican State Senator Dale Volker will keep his seat in the New York senate after beating his challenger Kathy Konst. And Democratic State Senator William Stachowski fended off a challenge from Republican rival Dennis Delano. Stachowski is now in line to take over the powerful position of Finance Committee Chairman, where he'll have a strong hand in the state budget: