Recent events have some asking about the future of the Republican Party in the Rochester area and throughout the state. 

Despite taking some hits, state Republican leaders are optimistic about the future of the party. In fact, the leader of the Republicans in Monroe County says the party is regrouping and planning for what's to come.

"I think we can do a better job of actually being out in the community and making an outreach to those individuals, making our presence known. Our candidates do a great job of that, but as a party and as an organization and conveying exactly what we represent, what we stand for and why those views and those values are aligned with some people that we're interested in bringing into the fold and become Republicans,” said Monroe County Republican Party Chair William Napier. “We're becoming more aggressive with outreach for that.”

Napier says the party is facing challenges and has for some time, but he does believe they remain competitive. That's despite recent losses in the election, including Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.

Napier says he's looking forward and talking with potential candidates to fill the seats of outgoing Senators Rich Funke and Joseph Robach.

At the same time, he's working to douse the flames from the recent scandals involving local Judge Matthew Rosenbaum and the DWI arrest of Brian Kolb. The Assembly Minority Leader is stepping down from his role in the wake of the charges.

Representative Stephen Hawley of the 139th Assembly District says he sees good things ahead for the party, despite recent stumbling blocks.

"I’m always optimistic. I totally look at things in a positive way. I’m not concerned about the Republican Party per se. I am concerned that we continue to attract and retain folks who are in politics and government for the right reasons,” Hawley said.

Both Hawley and Napier say the declining population in the state of New York is affecting the party. Napier believes many of those moving out of state are Republicans and conservatives.

Napier says the first step is securing the names on the ballots and then obtaining the signatures on the petitions. Spectrum News is told there will be some big plans and announcements in the coming days.