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

Canton, NY, Nov 13, 2009 — The North Country special election that captured national attention isn't over yet. Bill Owens has been sworn in as the first Democrat to represent the district since the 1850s. But his election night lead over Conservative Doug Hoffman has been trimmed to just over 3,000 votes of more than 140,000 cast. There are still absentee ballots to count. But as David Sommerstein reports, a Hoffman comeback appears unlikely.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Nov 04, 2009 — This summer Doug Hoffman, an accountant from Lake Placid, erupted into a national political phenomenon. With the backing of national conservative figures from Sarah Palin to Rush Limbaugh, Hoffman defied the Republican Party and tried to capture the NY-23 House seat. He managed to scuttle Republican Dede Scozzafava's campaign, but fell short last night. Brian Mann reported on the scene in Saranac Lake.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Nov 04, 2009 — The special election, concluded last night, was closely watched and heavily financed. It was sliced and diced by pollsters, pundits and observers going into the election, and certainly coming out, after the clear win by Democratic newcomer Bill Owens. NCPR's Brian Mann and David Sommerstein have been following this short, quick race and they joined Martha Foley for a post-election chat.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Nov 02, 2009 — The race to replace John McHugh is down to its last frenzied day after a shocking weekend. Republican Dede Scozzafava dropped out on Saturday, after a Siena poll showed her trailing badly. Then on Sunday, Scozzafava bucked her party and threw her support behind Democrat Bill Owens. That leaves Owens and Conservative Doug Hoffman, who both benefit from star power appearances today. Jonathan Brown talks with David Sommerstein about the second last day of campaigning.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Nov 02, 2009 — Over the weekend, shockwaves ran through the North Country's political culture. First Republican Dede Scozzafava dropped out of the special election to replace Congressman John McHugh. Then, on Sunday, Scozzafava announced that she is endorsing Democrat Bill Owens. The Republican and the Democrat appeared together at campaign event yesterday at the VFW hall in Canton. Owens, an attorney from Plattsburgh, remains locked in a tight race with third-party Conservative Doug Hoffman, an accountant from Lake Placid. Brian Mann followed developments as they unfolded and has our story.  Go to full article

Oct 29, 2009 —  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Oct 28, 2009 — This evening, two of the three candidates for the 23rd congressional district house seat will take part in a debate in the E. Glenn Giltz auditorium. That's in Hawkins Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh. The forum begins at 5 pm and North Country Public Radio will broadcast the program beginning at 7 o'clock, following All Things Considered. Martha Foley talks with NCPR Adirondack bureau chief, Brian Mann, who is one of the debate co-moderators.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Oct 27, 2009 — The special election for John McHugh's seat is a week from Tuesday. The three-way race between Republican Dede Scozzafava, Democrat Bill Owens, and Conservative Doug Hoffman is tight and nasty. The campaigns are fighting it out in expensive ad campaigns and dueling press releases. But the opportunities for actual debate between the candidates are dwindling. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article