Francine DelMonte (D-Lewiston) was first elected to represent the 138th Assembly District in 2000. The district encompasses a diverse blend of urban, suburban, and rural areas including the towns of Lewiston, Porter, Cambria, Niagara, Wheatfield, Wilson, Newfane, and Hartland and the city of Niagara Falls. DelMonte's focus in the Assembly seeks to strengthen the three mainstays of the district's economy: tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. As home to the world renowned Niagara Falls, tourism plays an important role in the economy of the 138th Assembly District. With a focus on the rich history and culture of the area, DelMonte has worked to create even more opportunity for tourism. She authored legislation creating the Niagara Wine Trail, which supports the growing wine industry by attracting thousands of visitors each year. DelMonte has fought for the continued growth of the wine trail and has supported this growing industry.

DelMonte also saw opportunity for academic tourism, and introduced legislation to create the Underground Railroad Heritage Commission to provide an opportunity for students and families to learn about the role Niagara Falls and Niagara County played during the Civil War. Niagara Falls also hosts the Seneca Niagara Casino, the state's first urban based Native American casino. Assemblywoman DelMonte championed legislation authorizing the governor to negotiate a compact with the Seneca Nation. The casino has created over 3,000 jobs and has delivered over $40 million to the local economy. DelMonte has sought to create a better business climate by providing local industries with low-cost hydropower and reducing the state's corporate tax rate.

She has also been successful in securing funding for the construction of a new terminal at the Niagara Falls International Airport and secured a $6.6 million grant for Niagara County Community College to create a new culinary arts facility for downtown Niagara Falls. Assemblywoman DelMonte has been an advocate on environmental issues in her district. She has sponsored legislation that prohibits the transport of PCB's from the Hudson River cleanup to the CWM waste disposal site in the Town of Porter and has fought to prevent hazardous waste from being discharged into the Great Lakes. DelMonte has also fought for reform of the brownfield cleanup program, which offers tax breaks to companies that redevelop abandoned industrial sites. Assemblywoman DelMonte graduated from Buffalo State College and completed course work for a Master of Arts degree from SUNY Albany. She is a lifelong resident of Niagara County. DelMonte is a member of the Agriculture, Economic Development, Racing and Wagering, Energy, Tourism, and Transportation committees. DelMonte also serves as the Chair of the Assembly Commission on Science and Technology.

"My number one priority is to attract more business and jobs to Niagara County. We have great strengths in manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture, butwe have to keep protecting and building on these strengths to create a healthy, diverse economy."