News stories tagged with "20th"

(06/01/09) Representative Scott Murphy just finished his first month in office. The Democrat from Glens Falls has landed in Washington in a time when Congress is wrestling with the massive economic downturn. He spoke with Brian Mann about his first experiences and his hopes for President Obama's stimulus package.

(04/29/09) Glens Falls businessman Scott Murphy will be sworn in this afternoon as New York's newest Congressman. The Democrat won a razor-thin victory in March, in a special election to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to the US Senate. New York's 20th congressional district stretches from Poughkeepsie in the Hudson Valley to Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. Murphy is a newcomer to politics, but he managed to beat veteran Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, a Republican from Schenectady. As Murphy prepared to head to Washington for today's ceremony, he spoke with Brian Mann.

(04/15/09) State election officials say Democrat Scott Murphy leads the 20th district election by 47 votes. But as the ballot recount continues, Republicans in the district are trying to disqualify hundreds of ballots, including the vote cast by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand held the House seat until January, when she was appointed to the US Senate. In a statement released last night, Gillibrand called the challenge "frivolous" and "dishonest." Republican Jim Tedisco has argued that too many second homeowners, many of them living in New York City, voted inappropriately in the election. In a statement issued last night, Tedisco's attorney, Jim Walsh, said that a judge should disqualify those votes. "We will continue to make the case that the ballots of hundreds of New York City voters should not be deciding this election," Walsh wrote. But Robert Brehm with the New York State Board of Elections, says the courts haven't restricted voting by snowbird residents and second homeowners in the past. Brehm spoke yesterday with Brian Mann about the ballot-counting process. He says the system works slowly, but will eventually produce a clear result.

(02/23/09) The special election in the 20th congressional district offers a golden opportunity for Republicans to launch a comeback in upstate New York. Candidate Jim Tedisco brought that message to Lake Placid on Friday, arguing that the GOP offers the best ideas for reviving the state's economy. Brian Mann was at the Tedisco event Friday. As he reports, Tedisco may need a big win in the North Country to carry the race -- Democrats are hoping to prove that this region is no longer solid Republican territory.

(02/13/09) In just six weeks, voters in the 20th congressional district will choose their next representative. The special election was triggered by the appointment of Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand to the U.S. Senate. This week, Republican Jim Tedisco from Schenectady and Democrat Scott Murphy from Glens Falls hit the campaign trail. As Brian Mann reports, the Republicans start the race with some big advantages, but Democrats think they've found a fresh new face who can hold the seat.

(02/10/09) State Republican leaders are urging Governor David Paterson to call a special election as soon as possible in New York's 20th congressional district. The seat has been vacant for two weeks, following Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand's rise to the Senate. Congressman John McHugh, National Republican Congressional Committee and Republican candidate Jim Tedisco are also calling for a quick vote. In a statement, Governor Paterson, a Democrat, suggested that he would take his time scheduling the special election and he indicated that the vote wouldn't come until mid-March. Brian Mann spoke about the race with Martha Foley. more

(02/04/09) Coming off a whirlwind tour of New York State, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is scrambling to get settled in to her new job. Her spokeswoman, Rachel Mceneny, says a transition that usually takes three months is happening on the fly. Senator Gillibrand made sure to sit down with Hispanic lawmakers in New York City over the weekend. They were outraged by her conservative stances on immigration when she was Congresswoman. Gillibrand has already done an about-face on some of those issues. Immigrant groups are cautiously optimistic. Conservatives in her old district are taking a wait-and-see attitude. David Sommerstein reports.

(01/28/09) State Senator Betty Little has dropped her bid to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in the House of Representatives. The decision came yesterday afternoon, shortly after Republican leaders in the 20th Congressional District backed Assembly minority leader James Tedisco. As Brian Mann reports, Republican scrambled to move ahead of the Democrats in what will likely be a short, fierce campaign. NOTE: Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt contributed to this report.

(01/27/09) Kirsten Gillibrand's rise has opened a full-on battle to fill her House seat. At least four top Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring. They include Assembly minority leader James Tedisco, former gubernatorial candidate John Faso, and state Senator Betty Little. Senator Little faces an early test today, when Republican leaders from across the 20th district meet to discuss an endorsement. Little spoke with Brian Mann about the race.

(09/05/08) Republican candidate Sandy Treadwell, from Essex County, is running for the 20th congressional district. He hopes to unseat Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. Treadwell traveled to the Twin Cities for the Republican National Convention. He checked in with Brian Mann yesterday, at a time when the convention floor was still buzzing about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. more