Gouverneur, NY, Nov 30, 2009 — The North Country has seen more than its share of political upheavals over the last several years. For the first time in decades, the region is represented by a Democrat, Darrel Aubertine, in the state Senate. The region has also elected three Democrats to Congress: Mike Arcuri, Scott Murphy and Bill Owens. Last week, Conservative Doug Hoffman finally conceded the 23rd congressional district race to Owens.

These elections represent stunning reversals for the once-dominant upstate Republican Party. And they've caught the attention of the national media, including a television appearance yesterday by Republican Dede Scozzafava. Her withdrawal and endorsement of Owens in the closing days of the 23rd CD race brought questions of her party's identity into sharp focus. Brian Mann covered the 23rd CD race for NCPR and NPR. Martha Foley spoke with him about this latest chapter.