Canton, NY, Apr 07, 2010 — It's Easter recess for Congress. That means lawmakers are criss-crossing their districts, making their case to constituents that their vote on health care was the right one. For freshman Congressman Bill Owens, that was a "yes" vote.

The Democrat from Plattsburgh will face a rematch this November against Conservative Douglas Hoffman. Alexandria Bay native Matt Doheny and Franklin County legislator Paul Maroun are seeking the Republican nomination along with Hoffman.

Owens made his case for the health care reform package on the western side of the 23rd district yesterday. He visited Croghan's meat market and met with agricultural leaders in Lewis County and Boonville. In the morning, he spoke to classroom full of third through sixth graders at St. Mary's catholic school in Canton. He shook hands with teachers and some parents.

Afterwards, he told David Sommerstein he's reminding residents of the district that some provisions in the health care bill kick in later this year, things like family insurance for children up to 26 years of age, limits on lifetime expenses, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Mar 22, 2010 — There were competing health care rallies in Plattsburgh over the weekend, aimed at swaying Democratic congressman Bill Owens. But in the end Owens and Glens Falls Democrat Scott Murphy voted in favor of the fiercely debated overhaul plan approved last night. As Brian Mann reports, their decision to support President Obama's health care bill is already drawing praise and criticism.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Mar 19, 2010 — Two North Country Democrats - Scott Murphy from Glens Falls and Bill Owens from Plattsburgh - are seen as pivotal figures in this weekend's health care vote. Their Yes or No vote could decide the fate of the bill being now pushed by President Barack Obama. A final decision could come as early as Sunday. Both lawmakers face intense pressure from all sides of this debate. On Saturday afternoon, Plattsburgh's tea party chapter plans to rally outside the office of Representative Owens. Mark Barie heads the group called UNYTEA - the Upstate New York Tea Party. Barie spoke last night with Brian Mann about his opposition to the Democratic plan.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Mar 11, 2010 — On Tuesday, Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman officially announced that he's running against Representative Bill Owens for the 23rd Congressional District seat. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Feb 23, 2010 — Politics is in our news today. A day after Gov. David Paterson wrapped up an upstate tour to launch his election campaign, a Siena College poll showed Republican Rick Lazio pulling ahead of the Paterson in the race for governor. It also showed Lazio making making small gains against potential Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo.

It looks like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is fighting off a potential primary challenge from former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr.. The Siena poll reported Gillibrand with the support of 42 percent of Democrats, 16 percent for Ford. The former Tennessee congressman is expected to announce soon whether he'll challenge Gillibrand. Looking at a potential general election matchup, former Republican Gov. George Pataki outpolls both Gillibrand and Ford. Pataki has not indicated he will run.
(The poll surveyed 805 registered voters from last Sunday through Friday. It has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.)

Meanwhile -- the North Country's two representatives in the House will defend the seats they won just last year in special elections.
Brian Mann is Adirondack bureau chief and helps keep an eye on politics for North Country Public Radio and our blog the In-Box. He joined Martha Foley this morning for a look at New York's complicated political picture.  Go to full article

Paul Smiths, NY, Feb 22, 2010 — Healthcare reform is back in the headlines. President Barack Obama plans to unveil his own legislation today. He's called for a bipartisan summit with lawmakers in Congress, scheduled for Thursday. At a meeting on Friday at Paul Smiths College, Representative Bill Owens - a Democrat from Plattsburgh - called for the reform effort to be broken down into smaller pieces. Chris Morris has our story.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 04, 2010 — Hearings are underway in Washington on ending the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military. President Obama sent his top military leaders to the House Armed Services committee this week, after pledging to end the policy in his State of the Union address last month. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Jan 04, 2010 — 2010 will be the year of President Obama's surge in the war in Afghanistan. The first units of the 30,000 additional troops are already settling in the war-torn country. Fort Drum's 1st brigade will begin sending 3500 soldiers this month. Violence in Afghanistan continues to escalate with last week's suicide bombing that killed seven CIA operatives. Congressman Bill Owens made a two-day trip to Afghanistan just before Christmas. Owens sits on the House Armed Services committee. He and other committee members met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Army General Stanley McChrystal, and visited with U.S. soldiers in Kabul and Kandahar. Owens told David Sommerstein the soldiers are facing a dangerous situation, but they're comfortable with the new mission they've been given by President Obama.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Nov 20, 2009 — The counting of absentee ballots continues in the 23rd Congressional district. As of Thursday afternoon, the Watertown Daily Times reported Conservative Doug Hoffman had gained 331 votes on Democrat Bill Owens with 48% of absentee ballots counted. Hoffman still trailed by 2,845 votes. The vote count was overshadowed by accusations of vote tampering made as a part of a fundraising appeal on Doug Hoffman's website. No evidence was provided. But a Hoffman spokesman singled out "two eastern counties" in the district. Election officials across the region say bipartisan checks and balances are in place to prevent tampering. None believes Hoffman has a case. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Nov 20, 2009 — While Doug Hoffman was raising allegations of vote-tampering here in the North Country, Rep. Bill Owens was working in Washington DC. He was sworn in on November 6 and this week Democrats gave Owens high profile appointments to the House Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh, spoke yesterday with Brian Mann.  Go to full article