New York's 61st State Senate district is one of 63 districts in the New York State Senate. The seat has been represented by Jeremy Zellner since 2026, following then-incumbent Sean Ryan's resignation on December 31, 2025 to serve as Mayor of Buffalo.
Geography District 61 encompasses Grand Island, Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda, the City of Tonawanda, and parts of Buffalo's Delaware, Ellicott, Masten, Niagara, North, and University wards.
The district is fully contained in New York's 26th congressional district, and contains parts or all of the 140th, 141st, 145th, 146th, and 149th districts of the New York State Assembly.
Recent election results 2026 general
2026 special Incumbent Sean Ryan resigned his seat on December 31, 2025 to serve as Mayor of Buffalo, triggering a special election. In special elections for state legislative offices, primaries are not held - county committee members for each party select nominees.
2024
2022 (redistricting)
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
Federal results in District 61 Year Office Results 2020 President Biden 52.9 – 44.9% 2016 President Trump 47.8 – 47.3% 2012 President Obama 50.2 – 48.1% Senate Gillibrand 60.5 – 38.0%
References