ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new state senator that will represent the Rochester area is declaring victory despite thousands of votes yet to be counted.

Democrat Samra Brouk claimed the 55th Senate district election on social media early on Wednesday. That's the district Republican Rich Funke served.

Brouk holds a 54 to 45% lead over Republican Christopher Missick after Tuesday's vote count. That does not include tens of thousands of mail-in votes yet to be counted.

"We are seeing the possibility for positive change in our communities. We're ready to send someone who has lived the experiences of the people of this district. Someone who's walked in their shoes. But most importantly someone who wants to be accountable to the people in our district — and only the people in our district," said Brouk.

"Hold out hope, this message I've been bringing this entire campaign about obtaining what I call the land of opportunity, it exists, it's here, we had it before, we can get it back and this campaign is not going away, our efforts to return New York to the Empire State is not going away," said Missick.