Apr 16, 2009 — Republican Jim Tedisco suffered two new setbacks yesterday in his bid to win the 20th district congressional seat. A tally of votes in Saratoga County failed to put him ahead of Democratic rival Scott Murphy. A judge also rejected the GOP?s effort to disqualify hundreds of ballots. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Apr 01, 2009 — The 20th district special election is too close to call this morning, with Democrat Scott Murphy from Glens Falls leading by more than sixty votes. More than 150 thousand votes were cast and election officials say there are at least six thousand absentee ballots still to be tallied. Todd Moe and Brian Mann have more.  Go to full article

Mar 27, 2009 — The battle to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in New York's 20th Congressional district is entering its final weekend and it's neck-and-neck. Gillibrand was appointed this winter to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat. Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy met last night for their final debate in Latham. Brian Mann was there and he talks with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Jan 23, 2009 — An aide to Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand has confirmed to North Country Public Radio that she will be the next junior Senator from New York. Gillibrand was offered the post early this morning and will accept at a noon ceremony today in Albany. The New York Times and the Associated Press are both reporting that the Governor's choice was made just after 2 am on Friday. Gillibrand's rise marks the next chapter in a remarkable political journey that began in November 2006 with her upset victory over Rep. John Sweeney. Gillibrand won re-election handily last year, despite stiff opposition from North Country Republican Sandy Treadwell.

Gillibrand outlasted the other likely candidates for the Senate seat, primarily Caroline Kennedy. Kennnedy's campaign imploded following a series of missteps and confused statements about her reasons for wanting the job. She formally withdrew from the process this week.

Gillibrand is a moderate who opposes same-sex marriage and gun control. Long Island Democrat, Carolyn McCarthy, says she'll challenge Gillibrand in the primary next year. Gillibrand will be officially named today at noon at an event in Albany. She will likely face stiff opposition in a special election in 2010 and again in 2012. Possible Republican opponents include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Governor George Pataki. But Gillibrand has proved herself to be a ferocious campaigner and fundraiser.

Governor Paterson's pick sets off a round of political musical chairs across the North Country. State Senator Betty Little, a Republican, is expected to make a bid for Gillibrand's seat. Should she win, that would trigger another contest for her state Senate seat. Other likely candidates for Gillibrand's seat include Sandy Treadwell, from Essex County, who ran in 2008.

Martha Foley and Brian Mann sort through fact from fiction.  Go to full article

Dec 16, 2008 — Pundits and politicians are still sorting out the significance of last month's election. One big question is the role of rural voters. Small towns were Republican territory four years ago. But there are signs that some rural counties, especially in the Northeast, are trending Democratic. Brian Mann spoke with journalist and rural policy expert Bill Bishop, who says Democratic-leaning towns tend to have more educated citizens and higher incomes.  Go to full article

Oct 29, 2008 — Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and challenger Sandy Treadwell met for their final debate last night. The hour-long conversation was hosted by the Glens Falls Post-Star and WNYT television. As Brian Mann reports, the pair differed sharply over policy. But both politicians stepped back from the campaign's growing negativity.  Go to full article

Oct 24, 2008 — Democratic Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Sandy Treadwell squared off last night. They're fighting to represent the 20th congressional district, which stretches from Saranac Lake to the Hudson Valley. In a debate sponsored by WMHT public television and the Albany Times-Union, Treadwell and Gillibrand wrangled over taxes, the war in Iraq and campaign ethics. As Brian Mann reports, the biggest drama came as the two candidates struggled to distance themselves from their more controversial supporters.  Go to full article

Oct 22, 2008 — In this election season, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have often been eclipsed by the sagging economy. But national security took center stage last night when Congressman John McHugh and challenger Mike Oot met for a debate in Plattsburgh, hosted by Mountain Lake PBS. The pair clashed repeatedly over the war's future, treatment of returning soldiers, and civil liberties. Brian Mann has our story.

NOTE: Last night's debate was hosted by Mountain Lake PBS. It will air in its entirety on October 30 at 8 pm.  Go to full article

Sep 30, 2008 — The North Country's House delegation split on the Wall Street bailout on Monday, with two lawmakers from the region supporting the measure and one voting to reject it. Republican John McHugh and Democrat Mike Arcuri both expressed dismay that the $700-billion deal collapsed. McHugh told Fox News 28 that the failed bailout effort was "a real setback." He added, "this is not a time for panic" and described America's economy as "resilient." Meanwhile, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, whose district stretches from Saranac Lake to the Hudson Valley, voted No on the bipartisan bill. Gillibrand spoke last night with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Sep 17, 2008 — Less than two months before the November election, the Gillibrand and Treadwell campaigns are feuding over the timing and format of this fall's debates. New York's 20th congressional district is one of the most closely watched House races in the country. Brian Mann has an update.  Go to full article