Incumbent Democrat Jeremy Cooney is the declared winner in the race for New York's 56th State Senate, according to the Associated Press.

Cooney will defeat Republican and former Gates Police Chief Jim VanBrederode. 

"I care about Rochester and I believe in the future of Rochester,” Cooney said last month. “I grew up in the city. I graduated from city schools and I still live in the city today. I want to make sure that their voices are being heard in the halls of Albany.”

The 56th District of the New York State Senate is composed entirely in Monroe County and includes the towns of Brighton, Gates, Greece, Henrietta and parts of the city of Rochester.

Cooney says his biggest points of focus will be on improving quality of life and bridging the gap between urban and suburban communities. 

“When you bring different voices to the table, the decision-making table, they're able to make those changes that affect all of us,” Cooney said. “It's about working together to help everyone.”