James S. "Jim" Alesi (born 1948) is a retired politician who served as New York State Senator for the 55th district, representing parts of Monroe County from 1997 to 2012.

Following his 2012 retirement from the Senate, Alesi has served on the state's Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board and on the Public Service Commission.

In January 2008, Alesi illegally entered an unfinished Perinton home, claiming he believed the house was for sale, and broke his leg while climbing a ladder.

On January 18, 2011, the same day the statute of limitations for any potential trespassing charges expired,[3] Alesi filed a lawsuit against the owners and the builder alleging an unsafe environment at the home site.

[9][10] On June 24, 2011, Alesi was one of four Republicans to vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Act,[11][12] stating: "I swore with my hand on the Bible to uphold the Constitution ...

[16] Prior to Sen. Alesi's announcement, Republican Assemblyman Sean Hanna had expressed interest in running a primary challenge against Sen.

[17] On the same day that Sen. Alesi announced his decision not to run for re-election, the New York Daily News reported the following: Sen. James Alesi (R-Rochester) told theNew York Daily News Wednesday night that he believes his vote in favor of the landmark gay marriage legislation would have severely hampered his chances in a GOP primary this year.

Believing that his political brand was weakened by the gay marriage vote, Alesi said he decided to step aside out of fear that a bruising primary would eventually cost the GOP his seat — and with it potentially the party's razor-thin Senate majority.