Rochester, N.Y. – Ted O’Brien has defeated Sean Hanna to become the 55th District’s State Senator.
With 52% of the vote, O’Brien will occupy the seat previously held by Jim Alesi.
The victory for O'Brien caps off a whirlwind of a campaign for both candidates. A Siena poll released November 2nd showed O’Brien leading Hanna by a 50% to 39% margin, yet a Siena poll released October 3rd showed Hanna leading by a 47% to 39% margin.
Republican Sean Hanna, who just completed his first term in the state assembly, attributed his loss to the demographics of the district. He said there are more enrolled Democrats.
Hanna does not believe the negative tone of the campaign hurt him since both he and O’Brien ran negative ads.
Hanna wouldn’t comment on whether he was hurt by strong Democratic support for President Obama and Slaughter.
