A Siena Research Institute poll released Saturday put Patty Ritchie up four points over Senator Darrel Aubertine.  But that’s within the margin of error.  The poll contained some good signs for Ritchie.  She holds a commanding 19 point lead over her rival in St. Lawrence County, and she’s picked up 13 points in Aubertine’s home turf in Jefferson County.

After the Syracuse Post-Standard endorsed Ritchie last week, the Watertown Daily Times followed suit Sunday.  The paper argued Democrats have given Albany “a definite downstate orientation” and favored Republican control of the Senate.

There was good news for Aubertine in the poll, too.  The one-term Senator enjoys a 52% favorability rating.  He picked up 7 points on Ritchie in Oswego county.  And Aubertine has strong union support that will help get out the vote.

This race will go right down to the wire.  According to the Siena poll, 10% of voters still don’t know who they’re going to vote for.

For North Country Public Radio, I’m David Sommerstein.