State Senator Joe Robach is something of an anomaly. A Republican legislator in a heavily Democratic district, in each of the past three elections he's received about 65 percent of the vote, handily beating his challengers.

Robach brings home lots of state money for his district - so much so that a few years ago, some prominent Democratic public officials, including then-Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson, endorsed him. And he turns up at an endless stream of community functions.

But Democrats say his conservative ideology is out of sync with his district. And, they say, this year may be their chance to beat him. State leaders are optimistic, too. They're pledging support - and the campaign cash that comes with it - as part of a strategy to break Republicans' longstanding control of the Senate, now down to only a two-person majority.

Democrats have strong control of the Assembly. "What is looming here is an opportunity for the Democrats to take control of the Senate," says Jim Vogel, vice chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee.

Three Democrats are interested in running against Robach: Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel; Rick Dollinger, who once held the seat; and Rochester School Board member Willa Powell, who ran unsuccessfully against Robach two years ago. And that sets up the possibility of something the Democratic Party will very much want to avoid: a primary before the general election. That will cause competition for campaign donations and create divisiveness among well-known Democrats and their supporters.

The campaign against Robach will likely be a fierce and expensive one: Democrats expect to spend anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million on it.

Powell announced her candidacy last week. Dollinger hasn't announced, but he made a move toward his candidacy last week, resigning his seat as town justice to explore a run.

State officials have reportedly pressured Frankel to back down, but on Tuesday she held a press conference announcing her candidacy.

The Monroe County Democratic Committee will designate a candidate at its convention this spring. If any other Democrats challenge that selection in a primary, it could "play out in a disastrous way," Vogel says. Already, the race is generating tension as party members consider the possibility they'll have to choose among friends.