Results are being finalized for the 2009 elections and, already, the battle for 2010 votes is on. That's a year when voters will decide a variety of state legislative and congressional races. Our Bill Carey says already in the Republican cross hairs in a Democratic State Senator in Central New York.

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"I am not your ordinary political candidate," Andrew Russo said.

Andrew Russo, 33, says it was the crushing burden of taxes that finally convinced him to seek the GOP nomination in the 49th State Senate District.

"We cannot continue spending money we don't have. We can't afford it. And at a time when Central New York families are forced to sit around their kitchen tables and set priorities, Albany democrats are going on a spending binge with our tax dollars," Russo said.

Russo was quick to challenge the democrat incumbent, David Valesky, who sought and won the Senate seat on a reform platform.

"But after watching his constant deferral to his New York City democrat leadership all year long, I don't believe we can any longer trust him to deliver," Russo said.

Republicans know that attacks on Valesky may be tough. He has long cultivated a "nice guy" image. But Russo says the past year, serving in the Senate leadership, has weakened that position.

"Being a nice guy is not going to reduce your sky high property tax burden. Being a nice guy is not going to find you or your spouse a job," Russo said.

For now, aides to Senator Valesky say he's not talking about the 2010 race, preferring, instead, to focus on the business of the state. The Senator may be waiting to see just who his opponent will be. Even as Russo announced his candidacy, another republican hopeful, businesswoman Jessica Crawford, citing many of the same reasons as Russo, said she is considering a run in the 49th.

"It's going to be talking to a lot of republican officials and also fundraising is going to a big part of that. So, taking those two factors into consideration will really help me make an informed decision on whether or not to move forward," Crawford said.

It's an early start to the campaign season. Republicans won't finalize their choice for the race until next spring.

The 49th District includes all of Madison County and portions of Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga counties.