YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County Executive Director Fanny Villarreal announced her candidacy Thursday for a state Senate seat in Central New York.

Villarreal, a Republican, will seek the 48th state Senate District seat, currently held by Democrat Rachel May, who has been in office since 2019.

Aside from leaing the YWCA since 2013, Vallarreal is the founder of Nosotros Radio and co-founder of the Syracuse Latino Festival.

She also currently sits on the boards of Excellus BCBS of CNY and HomeHeadquarters, Inc.

The 48th District includes the city of Syracuse, southern and western parts of Onondaga County and all of Cayuga County.