Coleman-Like Tactics Won't Swing NY Race

Challenges could drag out NY House race

(NEWSER) - James Tedisco has officially asked a New York court to declare him the winner of the 20th Congressional District race even though he’s behind in the vote count, the Register-Star of Hudson, NY, reports. With every vote tallied except challenged ballots, Scott Murphy leads Tedisco by 178 votes. But Tedisco is also asking the court to recanvass all voting machines, reassess already-counted absentee ballots, and keep challenged ballots unopened, moves the election commissioner says will drag out the race. More»

(NEWSER) - Republicans are rallying donors behind Jim Tedisco in preparation for a possible legal battle over the results of yesterday’s US House election in upstate New York, the Hill reports. In an email to donors today, GOP leaders say Democrats are preparing to “steal” the seat. Democratic candidate Jim Murphy leads the race to succeed Kirsten Gillibrand by 59 votes, but no absentee ballots have been counted. More»

(NEWSER) - The fight for Kirsten Gillibrand’s House seat is over, the Albany Times Union reports. Republican candidate Jim Tedisco conceded the race to Democrat Scott Murphy this afternoon, more than 3 weeks after the election. “Ultimately, it became clear that the numbers were not going our way,” Tedisco said. “The time had come to step aside and ensure that the next congressman be seated as quickly as possible.” More»

Vote to fill Gillibrand's seat as much over stimulus, bonuses

(NEWSER) - Today’s special congressional election in upstate New York is seen as a key early test of President Obama’s agenda, reports CQ Politics. The race, a tight one between Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy, has become a battle over Obama’s stimulus bill, bonuses for AIG, and other national issues. Obama himself has chipped in an email supporting Murphy. More»

Email urges area activists to support Scott Murphy for Congress

(NEWSER) - For the first time since his swearing-in, President Obama is getting involved in a campaign. The Huffington Post reports that Obama has sent out an email to about 50,000 people in and around New York’s 20th congressional district, urging them to elect Democrat Scott Murphy. “To restore our economy and build a foundation for lasting prosperity, I'll need Scott's help,” reads the message. More»