Watertown, NY, Nov 01, 2012 — A new poll released Thursday morning from Siena Research Institute shows a massive shift of support away from Democrat Bill Owens. Brian Mann spoke with Siena Pollster Steven Greenberg.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Oct 26, 2012 — The two major party candidates met for the last debate in the North Country's Congressional race Thursday night in Watertown. Green Party candidate Don Hassig wasn't invited to the event hosted by YNN TV.

Incumbent Democrat Bill Owens and Republican Matt Doheny sparred on well-trodden ground, like tax cuts, the deficit, and Medicare.

They also differed, sharply at times, on a range of other issues, including the military.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Oct 26, 2012 — While military issues were a big part of Thursday night's debate between congressional candidates Matt Doheny (R) and incumbent Bill Owens (D), the economy and unemployment were on most voters' minds. Joanna Richards took a sampling of public opinion right after the debate.  Go to full article

Oct 19, 2012 — The candidates vying for the North Country's House seat traveled to the tiny St. Lawrence County village of Wanakena Thursday night for a forum at the Ranger School there.

The three, Democratic incumbent Bill Owens, Republican Matt Doheny, and Green Party contender Donald Hassig, traded views and answered questions on a range of issues.  Go to full article

Oct 19, 2012 — The candidates in the race for New York's 21st District Congressional seat gathered Thursday night for a forum in Wanakena. At that forum, Green Party candidate Donald Hassig called for foreign workers on farms in the North Country to be rounded up and deported.

Hassig blasted plans put forward by the Democratic and Republican candidates to allow more laborers to work legally on dairy farms and apple orchards.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Oct 17, 2012 — Two of the three candidates for the North Country's congressional seat squared off in Plattsburgh Tuesday night for a debate sponsored by WPTZ television.

Green Party candidate Donald Hassig wasn't included in the debate, but the forum did include an opportunity for Republican challenger Matt Doheny and Democratic congressman Bill Owens to question each other about issues ranging from Medicare reform to trade with China.

The exchange was heated at times, with the two men accusing each other of misleading voters and embracing policies that hurt the North Country.  Go to full article

Queensbury, NY, Sep 21, 2012 — It looks like voters in the North Country will get three more chances to see the congressional candidates meet face-to-face before election day. Republican Matt Doheny and Democrat Bill Owens have agreed to three debates, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Sep 19, 2012 — UPDATE: After this story was published on Wednesday morning, Matt Doheny released his ideas for changes to Medicare. Those can be found at
his website.

NCPR requested another interview with Doheny, now that his policy has been made public. His campaign responded, "No."
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Medicare has become a central issue in Senate and Congressional races this year, especially since Republican Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate. Medicare covers more than 40 million seniors, and nearly 9 million people with disabilities nationwide.

Paul Ryan is head of the House Budget Committee, and wrote a plan to dramatically restructure the program. President Obama's health care law also makes big changes to it.

In the 21st District Congressional race, political ads on both sides have focused on the issue. But parsing the truth from campaign rhetoric can take a fine-toothed comb--especially because Republican candidate Matt Doheny still refuses to talk about Medicare.  Go to full article

Colton, NY, Sep 18, 2012 — One candidate in the race for New York's new 21st Congressional District is pleased with the results from a Siena Research Institute poll released last week, and it's not the man with the 13-point lead.

Green Party candidate Don Hassig says he's "thrilled" with his standing in the poll, which has 6 percent of those polled favoring him. He trails incumbent Congressman Bill Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh, and Watertown businessman Matt Doheny, a Republican, by a margin of 49-36-6, respectively.

The poll said 8 percent of voters remain undecided.  Go to full article

Sep 13, 2012 — Thursday is primary day across New York state and in many parts of the North Country, polls are open from noon until 9 pm. It's also just 54 days to the November election. Brian Mann is our Adirondack bureau chief and he also follows politics closely on our In Box blog at NCPR.org. He and Martha Foley spoke this morning about how the election season is shaping up in the North Country.  Go to full article