A state task force released its proposed Assembly and Senate district lines today. I've only had a chance to examine the Senate districts so far, but this much is clear: Monroe County is facing some changes in its representation.
The county will be divided up among six Senate districts, instead of the current four. The City of Rochester will be divided into three districts.
Here's a rundown of the Senate districts:
The 55th Senate District, which is represented by Republican Jim Alesi, is changing substantially. It's too early to tell what that means for Alesi's re-election bid, but the changes will drive plenty of speculation. Alesi was one of a small group of Republican senators to vote in favor of marriage equality legislation last year. He's facing threats of a conservative challenger this year.
The proposed lines for the 55th cut out the west-side towns it currently contains; the farthest west it goes is Rush. The district still covers the city's east side, though it picked up more of that area. It also retains Irondequoit, Penfield, East Rochester, Perinton, Pittsford, and Mendon.
The proposed 55th, however, crosses into Ontario County and picks up Victor, West Bloomfield, East Bloomfield, Richmond, Bristol, Canadice, South Bristol, and Naples. The district, as it exists now, does not include any of Ontario County.
The 59th and 61st Districts would be new to Monroe County, though they're a questionable fit. The 59th District starts in the Erie County suburbs, covers all of Wyoming County, shoots off into Livingston County communities, and picks up Wheatland and Henrietta. Republican Patrick Gallivan, who lives in the Buffalo suburb of Elma, currently represents the district.
The 61st District starts in the Buffalo suburbs of Amherst, Clarence, and Newstead, spreads over all of Genesee County, and then picks up Riga and Chili. It ends in Rochester's southern tip and appears to take in part of the 19th Ward and the area around Strong Memorial Hospital. Republican Michael Ranzenhofer, who lives in Amherst, represents the district.
The 56th District, currently represented by Republican Joe Robach, picks up Hamlin, Clarkson, and Gates, and also expands its coverage of the city. It retains Parma, Greece, and Brighton. The 54th District, represented by Republican Michael Nozzolio, has some small changes. Webster is the only Monroe County community in the 54th.
The 62nd District will no longer include any of the city and covers only Sweden and Ogden. Niagara County Republican George Maziarz currently holds the seat.