Rochester-area Sen. Rich Funke won't run for re-election in 2020

Jon Campbell | New York State Team

Show Caption Hide Caption Sen. Rich Funke says he won't run next year Rochester-area Sen. Rich Funke, a Republican, released this video announcing he won't seek re-election in 2020; Dec. 17, 2019.

ALBANY – Add Sen. Rich Funke's name to the list of state Senate Republicans declining to run for re-election next year.

The Fairport Republican announced Tuesday he will vacate his seat when his term runs out at the end of 2020, opting against another run for office and ensuring the city of Rochester will have an entirely new slate of Senate representatives come 2021.

"I will end my time in elected office next year on my own terms, proud of my team's accomplishments and with hope for a brighter future for our region and our state," Funke said in a video distributed by his office.

Funke, whose district includes the eastern portion of Rochester, first won his Senate seat in 2014 after nearly four decades in television as a popular reporter and anchor for WHEC-TV. He went on to win re-election twice.

But his party lost control of the Senate at the ballot box in 2018, ceding its last grip on power in the state Capitol to Democrats who now control a wide majority in the Legislature's upper chamber.

The power shift has helped fuel an exodus of Senate Republicans from Albany, with Funke making eight current GOP senators who have declined to run for re-election or are seeking a different office next year.

Among the others declining to run in 2020 are Sens. Joe Robach and Michael Ranzenhofer, the other two senators representing the city of Rochester.

A ninth GOP senator, Cathy Young of Olean, Cattaraugus County, stepped down earlier in the year, though Republican George Borrello retained the seat in a November special election.

More: Sen. Joe Robach will not seek re-election after 28 years in state Legislature

Touts Rochester hospital expansion, full-day K

Funke's district stretches from Lake Ontario to the Finger Lakes, including parts of Monroe and Ontario counties.

In his video, Funke thanked his constituents and touted his office's efforts on a variety of projects and laws, including the Rochester General Hospital expansion project, full-day kindergarten in Pittsford and a new water system in the Ontario County town of Naples.

He was also the lead sponsor of a measure to provide a tax credit to farmers who donate food to food banks, which took effect last year.

"These laws may not be big or flashy, but nobody should go to Albany to be a showhorse," Funke said in his video. "You should go to Albany to be a workhorse for your community."

In a statement, Monroe County GOP Chairman Bill Napier thanked Funke for his "service, leadership and friendship."

"Rich’s leadership, tenacity and tireless advocacy in the Senate, as well as with the many not-for-profits he champions, has benefited so many in our community in countless ways," Napier said.

More: Sen. George Amedore won't seek re-election in key Senate district

More: NY farmers now have a new tax write-off: Food donations

Democrats have eyes on Funke's seat

Funke's district will become yet another seat eyed by Democrats as the party seeks to widen its Senate majority, which already sits at 40-23.

The district had 79,311 active enrolled Democrats last month compared to 55,164 Republicans, according to the state Board of Elections.

Funke was twice able to easily win election, dispatching then-Sen. Ted O'Brien, an Irondequoit Democrat, by more than 16,000 votes in 2014 before running unopposed in 2016.

He enjoyed a narrower victory in 2018, defeating Democrat Jen Lunsford by 4 percentage points, or 4,872 votes.

Lunsford, a Penfield lawyer and activist, announced in September she would run again in 2020. Samra Brouk, a nonprofit professional and Rochester native, is seeking the Democratic nod for the seat, as well.

In a statement, Brouk thanked Funke for his years in public service while noting they differed on the issues.

“I believe the 55th (Senate) District is ready for new leadership that will hold us to our highest values," she said.

More: Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer, who represents part of Rochester, won't run in 2020

Jon Campbell covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network New York. He can be reached at JCAMPBELL1@gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @JonCampbellGAN

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