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

Saranac Lake, NY, Oct 22, 2009 — This week, North Country Public Radio is profiling the three candidates vying to replace Congressman John McHugh. The best known of the three is Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, a veteran Republican from Gouverneur. Scozzafava has been a fixture in the region's political life for a decade, and her family has deep ties in the North Country. When she won the GOP nomination this summer, Scozzafava was widely viewed as the front-runner. Her moderate views seemed like a perfect fit in a district that has been trending Democratic. But as Brian Mann reports, Scozzafava's campaign sparked a fierce conservative backlash.  Go to full article

Gouverneur, NY, Oct 15, 2009 — A new poll out this morning by the independent Siena Research Institute finds that Democrat Bill Owens, the newcomer from Plattsburgh, has taken the lead over Republican Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava. Owens now leads 33%-29%, with Conservative Doug Hoffman trailing with 23%.

Meanwhile, two of the most influential political journals in Washington are reporting that Republican Dede Scozzafava is struggling in the final weeks of the special election. Roll Call and Politico say Scozzafava has been seriously damaged by political attacks from Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman. They also report that she is being outspent significantly by Democrat Bill Owens. That's a surprising turn of events in a congressional district long dominated by the GOP. According to Politico, Scozzafava has spent less than $30,000 on TV spots in the campaign so far. Owens, meanwhile, has spent more than $300,000, launching a media blitz across the sprawling 23rd district.

Brian Mann checked in with Matt Burns, spokesman for the Scozzafava campaign. Burns acknowledged that Scozzafava is being outspent. But says the veteran Assemblywoman will have enough money to compete in the final weeks of the race.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Oct 14, 2009 — Governor David Paterson made a "campaign-style" swing through the North Country yesterday. He repeated his pledge to run for a full term as governor next year. He told St. Lawrence County Democrats at their annual dinner in Canton that he can win, despite historically low poll numbers for a sitting Governor. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Oct 05, 2009 — In just four weeks, voters will go to the polls to replace former North Country Congressman John McHugh, who was appointed Secretary of the Army. The candidates are out on the campaign trail talking about jobs and taxes and healthcare. But one of the biggest factors shaping the race for New York's 23d district is a bitter ideological feud within the national conservative movement. Many activist groups in Washington DC think Republican Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava is too liberal. They're backing Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. As Brian Mann reports, the fierce infighting on the right could throw the election to Democrat Bill Owens.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Sep 23, 2009 — John McHugh has been confirmed as Army Secretary. That means the battle for his North Country House seat is shifting into overdrive. One of the most contentious issues in this special election is the financial background of the three candidates. Republican Dede Scozzafava has faced intense scrutiny for her investments in Wisebuys and Hacketts. But Conservative Doug Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens are drawing fire for failing to file financial disclosure forms required by Federal ethics laws. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Sep 10, 2009 — A poll released yesterday by Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman is offering a first snapshot of the congressional race to replace John McHugh. The survey, paid for by Hoffman's campaign, shows Republican Dede Scozzafava with 30% of the vote. That compares with 20% for Democrat Bill Owens and 19% for Hoffman. Brian Mann has our report.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Sep 01, 2009 — Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman from Lake Placid was out on the campaign trail yesterday, stumping for the seat that will soon be vacated by Congressman John McHugh. He'll face Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens when the election is scheduled in the fall. Hoffman's message was all about cutting taxes and shrinking Federal spending. As Brian Mann reports, the Conservative hopes his "anti-pork" crusade will appeal to rank-and-file Republicans.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 12, 2009 — Plattsburgh attorney and former Air Force captain Bill Owens has won the Democratic Party nod in the race to fill John McHugh's House seat. Owens was a law partner to former Republican state Senator Ron Stafford and has described himself as a lifelong independent. He told Brian Mann that he is comfortable taking up the Democratic banner, though he differs with state Democratic officials on some issues, including same-sex marriage.  Go to full article