He said in interviews Wednesday night that he didn't want to risk his party's majority in the senate. Alesi faced a likely primary challenge because of his controversial vote in favor of same sex marriage.
Republicans are expected to support Assemblyman Sean Hanna for Alesi's seat and Democrats are expected to back Monroe County Legislator Ted O'Brien.
President Barack Obama is seen on a monitor in the White House briefing room in Washington, Wednesday. President Barack Obama told an ABC interviewer that he supports gay marriage.
In an interview with ABC News, President Obama declared his support for gay marriage. This marks a departure from the president's previous stance, which has repeatedly been described as "evolving."
President Barack Obama made his third trip to the Albany region since taking office.
He delivered a speech on the economy that used the backdrop of a high-technology facility that grew out of a partnership with private enterprise and bipartisanship.
Click on the audio player above to listen to the President's full speech.
Governor Andrew Cuomo joined President Obama for the bulk of his visit. In his campaign in 2010, Cuomo made jobs and the economy part of his “new Democrat” theme.
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers an address to the American people on U.S. policy and the war in Afghanistan during his visit to Bagram Air Base on Tuesday.
In a speech delivered from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, President Obama said that after more than 10 years of war in the country, the U.S. is on a path toward peace.
Voter turnout was very low Tuesday as Mitt Romney cruised to victory in the Republican Presidential Primary in New York and fourth other states.
Romney received about 57% of the vote in Monroe County easily outpacing Ron Paul who finished second with about 19%.
Unofficial results from the Monroe County Board of Elections show only about 7% of eligible voters cast their ballot Tuesday.
Contrast that with 26% turnout for the Republican Presidential Primary election in 2008, and 30% in 2000.
Click on the audio player above to listen to local GOP party chairman Bill Reilich’s conversation with WXXI’s Alex Crichton about the low turnout and the race ahead for Romney.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney takes the stage at an election night rally in Manchester, N.H., on Tuesday night. Romney won nominating contests in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware.
Originally published on Tue April 24, 2012 9:44 pm
Update at 9:33 p.m. Romney Wins All Five Primaries; Delivers Remarks In N.H.:
With the GOP nomination all but secured, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke to supporters in Manchester, N.H., Tuesday night after declaring victory in the five primary contests being held.
The Associated Press called the races for Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and Pennsylvania for Romney quickly after polls closed. New York was also called for Romney shortly after he delivered his speech.
Polls open at Noon for New York's Republican Presidential Primary. Voter turnout is expected to be low as frontrunner Mitt Romney is on track to win all the delegates he needs to become the party's nominee to challenge President Barack Obama in November.
Primaries are also being held in four other states Tuesday: Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware. Romney is widely expected to sweep all five states.
Polls close in New York at 9:00 p.m. WXXI will post results here on WXXINews.org as soon as they are available.
Representative Louise Slaughter says her broken leg won't keep her away from seeking re-election. Two weeks ago, the Congresswoman broke the bone in her left thigh after tripping on uneven pavement in a road construction area in New York City.
Slaughter's undergoing rehabilitation at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She told reporters she still plans to go door-to-door campaigning, "Only thing I don't have to worry about as I did ten years ago, in a new district, I think pretty much everybody in the county knows who I am or heard my name. So that saves me a lot of grief and time, but we'll be fine."
Rick Santorum announces he is suspending his campaign for president during a press conference in Gettysburg, Pa., on Tuesday, surrounded by family members.
Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images
Santorum bows his head in prayer during a campaign rally in the basement of the Northwestern Bank building in Orange City, Iowa, on Jan. 1.
Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images
Santorum leaves a campaign stop at the Daily Grind coffee shop in Sioux City, Iowa, on Jan. 1.
Originally published on Tue April 10, 2012 2:37 pm
Despite falling short in the quest for the Republican presidential nomination, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has established himself as one of the dominant conservative voices in America, particularly when it comes to social issues such as abortion and birth control.
Santorum announced Tuesday that he is suspending his quest for the presidency.
Santorum ultimately chose to suspend his campaign ahead of the April 24 primary in Pennsylvania. A loss on his political home turf would have done serious damage to his future electoral prospects.
His wins Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Maryland and — most importantly — in Wisconsin has produced a subtle shift in the way Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is being referred to by the news media.
