2009 New York's 20th congressional district special election explained

Election Name:2009 New York's 20th congressional district special election
Country:New York
Flag Year:1901
Type:by-election
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 20
Previous Year:2008
Next Election:2010 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 20*
Next Year:2010
Seats For Election:New York's 20th congressional district
Image1:File:ScottMurphy2009CampaignStop.jpg
Nominee1:Scott Murphy
Party1:New York State Democratic Committee
Popular Vote1:80,833
Percentage1:50.23%
Nominee2:Jim Tedisco
Party2:New York Republican State Committee
Popular Vote2:80,107
Percentage2:49.77%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Kirsten Gillibrand
Before Party:New York State Democratic Committee
After Election:Scott Murphy
After Party:New York State Democratic Committee

On March 31, 2009, New York held a special election to fill a vacancy in its 20th congressional district. In January, the district's representative, Kirsten Gillibrand, was appointed US senator from New York, replacing Hillary Clinton, who had been appointed Secretary of State in the Obama administration. The two major-party candidates were Scott Murphy, a Democrat and private businessman, and Jim Tedisco, a Republican and the minority leader of the New York State Assembly. A Libertarian candidate, Eric Sundwall, was initially included in the race, but later removed from the ballot.

The 20th congressional district has historically been conservative, and early polls favored Tedisco, but by February 2009 the race was considered a toss-up. The Republican Party considered the election to be a referendum on President Obama's economic policy and as such, injected significant funding into Tedisco's campaign, using well-known Republicans such as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Congressional Minority Leader John Boehner, and former New York governor George Pataki for support. Democrats used Senator Gillibrand, Vice President Joe Biden, and an endorsement from President Obama to support the Murphy campaign.

Major issues brought up during the campaign were the candidates' positions on President Obama's stimulus plan, which Tedisco did not take a stance on until late in the race. Murphy supported it while Tedisco eventually opposed it. Tedisco portrayed Murphy's support of the plan as a potential cause of the AIG bonus scandal. Tedisco's campaign also brought up Murphy's failure to pay taxes on a company he founded in the 1990s. A frequent Murphy talking point was that Tedisco's primary residence was not in the Congressional district.

The race was so close that one early vote count had the candidates tied at 77,225 votes each. Absentee ballots decided the election; ballots were accepted until April 13. While Tedisco had been ahead in early counts, by April 10 Murphy was leading, and by April 23 Murphy had a 401-vote advantage. Tedisco conceded the race the following day, and Murphy was sworn in on April 29. Democratic electoral successes in November 2008 and Murphy's clear support of the stimulus package were credited for his success.

Background

See main article: New York's 20th congressional district. New York's 20th congressional district in 2009 encompassed all or part of Columbia, Dutchess, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.[1] Traditionally conservative, it had been considered a safe seat for Republicans until Blue Dog Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand defeated incumbent John E. Sweeney in the 2006 election.[2] In November 2008, the Republican Party held an enrollment advantage of 70,632 registered voters across the district, down from a 93,337-voter advantage when the district lines were drawn by the New York State Legislature in 2002.[3] [4] Although Republican George W. Bush carried the district by an eight-point margin in the 2004 presidential election,[5] Democrat Barack Obama won the district in 2008 by a three-point margin, or approximately 10,000 votes of over 330,000 cast.[6] Gillibrand was reelected in 2008 by 24 points, a fourfold increase over her 2006 margin.

One of Barack Obama's first decisions as president-elect was to appoint Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York and former Democratic presidential primary opponent, as Secretary of State; Clinton resigned her Senate seat to take the position.[7] The district's seat became vacant in January 2009 when Governor David Paterson appointed Gillibrand to the United States Senate to replace Clinton.[2] On February 23, 2009, Governor Paterson issued a proclamation setting the date for the special election as March 31, 2009.[8] Under state law, Paterson was not required to issue a proclamation for a special election until July 2010.[9] Both the Rothenberg Political Report and the Cook Political Report listed the race as a toss-up.[10] [11]

Candidates

In lieu of party primaries, the party nominees were chosen by a weighted vote among the county committees. The weight of the vote depended on the population of registered party voters (Republican or Democrat) in a given county.[12]

Republican Party

State Senator Betty Little and former state Assembly minority leader and 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate John Faso had been in the running for the Republican nomination.[13] Richard Wager, a former aide to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and State Senator Stephen Saland had also been mentioned.[14] Alexander "Sandy" Treadwell, the former New York Secretary of State and 2008 U.S. House challenger, had announced he would not run.[15] On January 24, State Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco received the endorsement of Saratoga County's Republican chairman,[16] while the Greene County GOP endorsed Faso.[17]

Jim Tedisco was the eventual Republican nominee, winning the GOP nomination on January 27, 2009.[18] Tedisco represented the 110th Assembly District, which includes a significant portion of Saratoga County.[19] Tedisco's primary residence was not in the congressional district, although he did own a house in Saratoga Springs and much of his assembly district overlapped the congressional district.[20] This issue would become a major talking point during the campaign.

Democratic Party

On January 31, The Post-Star reported that the Democrats had narrowed the field of potential candidates from over two dozen applicants down to six. The Democratic chairpersons met with all six candidates at a diner in Albany on February 1, and selected Scott Murphy of Glens Falls,[21] president of the Upstate Venture Association of New York,[22] as their candidate.[23] [24] Other confirmed candidates included Saratoga County Democratic Chairman Larry Bulman, former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter, Coxsackie Town Supervisor Alex Betke,[25] and Tracey Brooks, failed candidate for the nomination for the 21st district election in 2008.[26]

Third parties

New York allows electoral fusion, which is an arrangement allowing two or more qualified parties to list the same candidate on a ballot.[27] [28] The Conservative Party chose to cross-endorse Tedisco on February 9,[29] while the Working Families Party gave its endorsement to Murphy on February 17.[30] [31] On March 1, the Independence Party, the largest third party in the 20th district,[32] gave its endorsement to Murphy.[33] This was the first time the Independence Party had endorsed a Democrat in the district.[34]

Eric Sundwall, Chair of the New York Libertarian Party, was the Libertarian candidate for the seat. However, he was removed from the ballot on March 25, after 3,786 of the 6,730 signatures his campaign had collected were ruled invalid.[35] Under state election law, independent congressional candidates must collect at least 3,500 valid signatures to be on the ballot.[36] Two Saratoga County residents challenged over 6,000 of Sundwall's signatures; Sundwall blamed Tedisco for the effort to have him removed from the ballot.[37] The vast majority of the rejected signatures were from voters who put down their mailing address instead of the municipality in which they physically lived. Votes for Sundwall on absentee ballots, which were mailed out before he was removed from the ballot, were voided. On March 27, Sundwall announced that he would vote for Murphy in the election and urged his supporters to join him.[38]

Campaign

The campaigns agreed to hold four debates.[39] The first debate took place on March 2, between Tedisco and Murphy.[40] [41] The second debate, sponsored by WMHT and the Times Union, took place on March 19 between Murphy and Libertarian candidate Eric Sundwall.[42] [43] Jim Tedisco held a town hall meeting rather than attend, claiming the debate was not one of the four originally agreed upon.[44] The third debate took place on March 23[45] [46] and the final debate was on March 26.[47] [48]

Strategists from both parties viewed the outcome of the race as a "referendum on President Obama's handling of the economy". Chairman Michael Steele of the Republican National Committee said the special election was the first of three elections that were "incredibly important" for the Republicans to win.[49] The Republican leadership made this race a top priority, and Chairman Steele, former Governor George Pataki, House Minority Leader John Boehner, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich helped Tedisco with fundraising. Steele visited the district twice.[50] On the Democratic side, Senator Gillibrand appeared in commercials and robocalls for Murphy, and Senator Chuck Schumer helped Murphy's campaign with fundraising.[50] Less than a week before the election, President Obama formally endorsed Murphy in a mass email to supporters[51] and urged supporters to organize and vote for Murphy.[52] A radio ad Vice President Joe Biden recorded for Murphy was released on March 25. That same day, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine emailed 500 of the party's top donors asking them to contribute to Murphy's campaign.[53]

The RNC spent $100,000 on Tedisco's behalf.[54] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $150,000[55] and the Service Employees International Union spent $315,000 for Murphy.[56] The New York State United Teachers made an effort to call its members on Murphy's behalf, while the National Right to Life, National Republican Trust and New York State Rifle and Pistol Association organizations paid for ads and mailings supporting Tedisco.[57]

Each candidate aimed to discredit the other by pointing out his opponent's flaws or mistakes. Republicans called attention to Murphy's failure to pay taxes on a start-up computer software company he had founded in the 1990s, drawing comparison to three high-profile Obama administration nominees who failed to pay all of their taxes.[58] Tedisco also called attention to Murphy's failure to regularly vote in elections[59] after the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced that Murphy had failed to vote in the 2000 presidential election, along with seven other primaries and general elections between 2000 and 2003.[60] Believing the negative ads run by the NRCC were responsible for his drop in the polls, Tedisco announced that he would take control of campaign advertising from the NRCC.[61]

Murphy spent the first months of the campaign criticizing Tedisco's early refusal to disclose his position on President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. When Tedisco came out in opposition to the legislation on March 16, Murphy responded by writing "it's just shameful it took well over a month for Assemblyman Tedisco to finally admit that he'd vote 'No'".[62] Murphy's campaign described Tedisco as a career Albany politician.[63]

By mid-March, a provision in the stimulus package that grandfathered in bonuses paid to executives at troubled insurance giant AIG and other TARP recipients became a campaign issue. Tedisco, who had been criticized by Murphy for opposing the package, used the outrage over the AIG bonuses to reframe the debate.[64] On March 19, Tedisco called for the resignation of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner over the AIG controversy.[65] Murphy responded by insisting that the stimulus package was necessary for job creation.[66]

Media endorsements

Polling

width=175pxPoll sourcewidth=150pxDate administeredwidth=150pxScott Murphy (D)width=150pxJim Tedisco (R)width=150pxEric Sundwall (L)
Siena Research Institute[75] March 25–26[76] align=center47%43%2%
Siena Research Institute[77] March 9–10[78] 41% align=center45%1%
Benenson Strategy Group‡February 24–2537% align=center44%4%
Siena Research Institute[79] February 18–19[80] 34% align=center46%
Public Opinion Strategies†[81] February 3–429% align=center50%
† Commissioned by Tedisco's campaign and the NRCC
‡ Commissioned by the DCCC

Election

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, initial counts from the election had Murphy leading by about 60 votes out of over 150,000 cast.[82] [83] Columbia County's Board of Elections amended its tally the following day, reducing Murphy's lead to 25 votes.[84] The lead alternated between the two candidates throughout early recanvassing; at one point the New York State Board of Elections had listed the election at a zero-vote margin, with each candidate having exactly 77,225 votes.[85] By April 2, Tedisco was ahead by 12 votes. He resigned the position of Assembly Minority Leader on April 5 in preparation for a transition to Congress,[86] and was replaced by Brian Kolb the following day.[87] On April 7, Tedisco was ahead by 97 votes.[88] The close tally meant that absentee ballots would decide the race.

All ballots, absentee ballot envelopes, and voting machines were impounded under a court injunction sought by state Republicans. Under the court order, absentee ballots were counted in central locations rather than individual precincts.[89] Of the 10,000 absentee ballots sent out to voters, 6,000 were returned. Absentee ballots mailed within the United States had to be received by April 7 to be counted. The deadline for overseas (including military) ballots was extended to April 13 after the United States Department of Justice sued the state to ensure they would have a reasonable chance of being counted.[90] Counting of the absentee ballots due by April 7 began on April 8 under a New York State Supreme Court ruling sought by Murphy's campaign.[91]

The legality of about 600 absentee ballots were contested during the count,[92] including Senator Gillibrand's ballot.[93] By April 23, Murphy was ahead by 401 votes,[94] and Tedisco conceded the following day.[95] Murphy was sworn in on April 29.[96] The official results came out in May and had Murphy winning the election with 80,833 votes (50.23%) against Tedisco's 80,107 votes (49.77%).[97]

Unofficial results
DateScott MurphyJim TediscoDifference
April 3align=center 77,225align=center 77,225align=center 0
April 6[98] align=center 76,817 align=center 76,914align=center 97
April 7[99] align=center 77,017 align=center 77,034align=center 17
April 8[100] align=center 77,018 align=center 77,035align=center 17
April 9[101] align=center 76,992 align=center 77,060align=center 68
April 10[102] align=center 77,773align=center 77,727align=center 46
April 13[103] align=center 77,907align=center 77,882align=center 25
April 14[104] align=center 77,982align=center 77,935align=center 47
April 15[105] align=center 79,105align=center 79,019align=center 86
April 16[106] align=center 79,452align=center 79,274align=center 178
April 17[107] align=center 79,839align=center 79,566align=center 273
April 23 align=center 80,368align=center 79,967align=center 401
Official breakdown by county
CountyScott MurphyJim Tedisco
Columbia align=center 9,161align=center 6,852
Delawarealign=center 3,506 align=center 3,509
Dutchess align=center 10,019align=center 9,304
Essex align=center 1,375align=center 1,101
Greenealign=center 4,607 align=center 5,724
Otsegoalign=center 1,084 align=center 1,147
Rensselaeralign=center 7,837 align=center 8,293
Saratogaalign=center 26,290 align=center 31,066
Warren align=center 9,323align=center 7,298
Washington align=center 7,631align=center 5,813

Aftermath

Murphy's victory was credited to a coattail effect from Barack Obama's election in 2008.[108] His support of the stimulus package and Tedisco's failed attempt at clearly explaining his (Tedisco's) opposition to the package also had an impact.[109] Further explanations for the Republican defeat ranged from accusations that Tedisco "dither on the stimulus bill", to intimations that Tedisco only became his party's nominee by manipulating the selection process.[110] In an editorial, the Wall Street Journal contended that being an "Albany careerist" and running confusing campaign ads had hurt Tedisco.[111] Tedisco's loss immediately made him appear vulnerable to Democrats hoping to capture his seat in the Assembly.[112]

The day after being sworn in, Murphy hired Todd Schulte, his campaign manager, as his new chief of staff.[113] He also hired one of Governor Paterson's aides, Maggie McKeon, as his communications director.[114] For his district director, Murphy turned to Rob Scholz, a Republican. Scholz had worked on Murphy's campaign and had received praise from Larry Bulman, the chairman of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee.[115] Within a month of being elected, Murphy opened offices in Saratoga Springs and Hudson.[116] [117] Murphy served the remainder of his term, but lost a reelection bid on November 2, 2010, to challenger Chris Gibson, a retired Army colonel.[118]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Congressional District 20 . . November 16, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140904120331/http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/congdist/NY20_110.pdf . September 4, 2014 .
  2. News: Paul. Steinhauser. Gillibrand's House seat could be GOP opportunity. CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. Atlanta, GA. January 23, 2009. January 30, 2009. December 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141208034528/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/23/special-election-for-gillibrands-house-seat-could-be-opportunity-for-gop/. dead.
  3. Web site: NYSVoter Enrollment by Congressional District, Party Affiliation and Status. New York State Board of Elections. November 1, 2008. April 5, 2009. November 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101203154/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/enrollment/congress/congress_nov08.pdf. dead.
  4. Web site: Total Enrollment by Congressional District. New York State Board of Elections. January 28, 2004. April 5, 2009. November 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101205709/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/enrollment/congress/congress_jun02.pdf. dead.
  5. News: Michael . Barone . Political Bloodlines of Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator From New York . . Kerry F. Dyer . Washington, DC . January 26, 2009 . February 5, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090205145118/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/1/26/political-bloodlines-of-kirsten-gillibrand-senator-from-new-york.html . February 5, 2009 .
  6. Web site: NY-20: Traditionally Red District Turned Blue in 2008 . L . James . January 23, 2009 . April 5, 2009 . Swing State Project . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090202175202/http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4324 . February 2, 2009 .
  7. News: Obama's Former Rival Clinton Joins His Team . . December 2, 2008 . December 28, 2010 .
  8. Web site: Special Election Twentieth Congressional District Proclamation . March 12, 2009 . Paterson . David A. . February 23, 2009 . State of New York Executive Chamber . Albany, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090324235337/http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/proclamations/pdf/proc_special_election-2009.pdf . March 24, 2009 .
  9. News: Casey. Seiler. Paterson: No hard timeline for 20th special election. . Albany, NY . January 27, 2009 . January 30, 2009.
  10. Web site: 2010 House Ratings. March 11, 2009. February 25, 2009. The Rothenberg Political Report. . Washington, D.C..
  11. Web site: 2010 Competitive House Race Chart. March 11, 2009. February 5, 2009. The Cook Political Report. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120806160732/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive_2009-02-05_12-25-20.php. August 6, 2012. mdy-all.
  12. News: Emily. Cadei. New York Party Bosses to Choose Ballot Names. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527065312/http://www.rollcall.com/news/-73185-1.html. May 27, 2016. CQ Politics. . Washington, DC. January 26, 2009. February 11, 2009. Alt URL
  13. News: Betty Little Announces Plans To Replace Gillibrand . . . Plattsburgh, NY . January 23, 2009 . January 30, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718122159/http://www.wptz.com/news/18550042/detail.html . July 18, 2011 .
  14. News: Maury. Thompson. Bulman, Richter may seek Gillibrand's seat. . Glens Falls, NY. January 23, 2009 . October 29, 2010.
  15. News: Nathan L.. Gonzales. New York 20: Treadwell Not Running. The Rothenberg Political Report. Stuart Rothenberg. Washington, DC. January 24, 2009 . January 30, 2009.
  16. News: Maury. Thompson. Saratoga County GOP backs Tedisco. The Post Star. Glens Falls, NY. January 24, 2009. January 30, 2009. January 31, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090131111842/http://www.poststar.com/blogs/?p=16631&cat=259. dead.
  17. News: Tim . O'Brien . Greene County GOP goes with Faso . . Albany, NY . January 24, 2009 . January 30, 2009.
  18. News: Curtis . Schick . GOP picks Tedisco to run on Republican ticket . . . Albany, NY . January 28, 2009 . January 30, 2009 . August 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120806211903/http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/132480/gop-picks-tedisco-to-run-on-republican-ticket/ . dead .
  19. Web site: District Map . October 28, 2010 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101041957/http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/James-Tedisco/map/ . November 1, 2013 . mdy-all .
  20. News: Gillibrand gaining steam . . Albany, NY . January 22, 2009 . October 28, 2010 . Rick . Karlin.
  21. Web site: Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY 20th District) . . . October 28, 2010.
  22. News: Carol . DeMare . Democrats tap new face in 20th District . . Albany, NY . February 2, 2009 . February 5, 2009 . A1 . October 6, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120344/http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=7452098 . dead .
  23. News: Curtis . Schick . Democrats choose Murphy for 20th district race . . . Albany, NY . February 2, 2009 . February 5, 2009 . October 31, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131031230045/http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/politics/132791/democrats-choose-murphy-for-20th-district-race/ . dead .
  24. News: Maury. Thompson. Democratic candidate list shrinks. The Post Star. Glens Falls, NY. January 31, 2009 . February 5, 2009.
  25. News: 20th CD Jockeying Begins . . New York, NY . Elizabeth . Benjamin . January 23, 2009 . November 4, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120620090424/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/01/20th-cd-jockeying-begins.html . June 20, 2012 .
  26. News: Josh. Kurtz. GOP Optimistic About Possible Gillibrand Special Election. Roll Call. Economist Group. Washington, DC. January 22, 2009 . January 30, 2009.
  27. An Old-time Remedy for our Electoral System: Fusion Voting . Barbara . Dudley . 2006 . October 30, 2010 . Oregon's Future . . 13–14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120316083222/http://www.willamette.edu/centers/publicpolicy/projects/oregonsfuture/PDFVol11no3/06Fall_Remedy.pdf . March 16, 2012 .
  28. News: Mike Bloomberg: Independent, Except for All the Party Labels . April 13, 2009 . October 30, 2010 . Steve . Kornacki . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115111/http://www.observer.com/3053/mike-bloomberg-independent-except-all-party-labels . June 16, 2011 .
  29. News: Tedisco Gets Conservative Nod . . White Plains, NY . February 9, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . Joseph . Spector . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101071715/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2009/02/09/tedisco-gets-conservative-nod/ . dead .
  30. News: Working Families Party Backs Murphy, But Independence Line Still In Play . Jimmy . Vielkind . February 17, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115034/http://www.observer.com/2005/working-families-party-backs-murphy-independence-line-still . June 16, 2011 .
  31. New York Working Families Backs Scott Murphy for Congress . https://web.archive.org/web/20090618073059/http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/02/new-york-working-families-backs-scott-murphy-for-congress/ . dead . June 18, 2009 . February 17, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . .
  32. News: State Independence Party backs Murphy . June 17, 2010 . October 29, 2010 . Adirondack Daily Enterprise . Saranac Lake, NY . Nathan . Brown . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719070758/http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/513755.html?nav=5008 . July 19, 2011 . mdy-all .
  33. News: Murphy wins the Independence endorsement in 20th CD . March 1, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . Leigh . Hornbeck . . Albany, NY.
  34. News: Murphy Wins Indy Line Battle . March 1, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . . New York, NY . Elizabeth . Benjamin . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120616145433/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/03/muprhy-wins-indy-line-battle.html . June 16, 2012 .
  35. News: Leigh . Hornbeck . Libertarian removed from ballot . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430132532/http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=7681899 . dead . April 30, 2012 . . Albany, NY . March 26, 2009 . October 26, 2010 . A3 .
  36. Web site: N.Y. Elec. L. § 6-142(2)(e). State of New York 2008 Election Law. New York State Board of Elections. Albany, NY. 176. March 26, 2009. June 11, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140611025229/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/law/2008NYElectionLaw.pdf. dead.
  37. News: Liu. Irene Jay. Sundwall endorses Murphy . . Albany, NY . March 27, 2009.
  38. Web site: Campaign Statement . Sundwall . Eric . sundwall4congress.org . March 27, 2009 . April 30, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090503061636/http://www.sundwall4congress.org/2009/03/campaign-statement.html . May 3, 2009 .
  39. News: Scott Murphy will be at least one debate by himself: updated . Leigh . Hornbeck . . Albany, NY . March 3, 2009 . October 31, 2010.
  40. News: In First Debate, Murphy Presses Tedisco on Stimulus, of Course . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 3, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115619/http://www.observer.com/2281/first-debate-murphy-presses-tedisco-stimulus-course . June 16, 2011 .
  41. News: Not Much Daylight Between Tedisco and Murphy in the First Debate . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 3, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115634/http://www.observer.com/2283/first-debate-offers-little-clash . June 16, 2011 .
  42. News: A Libertarian Wants the Tedisco Spot in a Congressional Debate . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 4, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115711/http://www.observer.com/2290/sundwall-says-he-has-enough-signatures-wants-tediscos-spot-debate . June 16, 2011 .
  43. News: Sundwall and Murphy to debate, Tedisco doing his own thing . Leigh . Hornbeck . . Albany, NY . March 18, 2009 . October 31, 2010.
  44. News: Instead of the Murphy-Sundwall Debate, '3D' Tedisco Plans 'People's Town Hall' . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 19, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115721/http://www.observer.com/2591/instead-murphy-sundwall-debate-3d-tedisco-peoples-town-hall . June 16, 2011 .
  45. News: At Forum, Murphy's Stimulus Is Tedisco's Pork . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 4, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616115733/http://www.observer.com/2695/better-or-worse-tedisco-turns-debate-blitz-against-murphy . June 16, 2011 .
  46. News: Murphy and Tedisco debate as election date challenged . Curtis . Schick . March 25, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . . Albany, NY . October 31, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131031230935/http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/politics/136245/murphy-and-tedisco-debate-as-election-date-challenged/ . dead .
  47. News: 20th District candidates meet for final debate . Curtis . Schick . March 27, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . . Albany, NY . March 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306043625/http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/135335/20th-district-candidates-meet-for-final-debate/ . dead .
  48. News: In the Last Debate, Murphy Echoes Obama, Tedisco Cites Experience . Jimmy . Vielkind . March 4, 2009 . October 31, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616120108/http://www.observer.com/2744/debate-murphy-echoes-obama-tedisco-cites-experience . June 16, 2011 .
  49. News: Steele Focused on 3 Critical Races in Rebuilding GOP. Fox News. News Corporation. January 31, 2009. April 30, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109073841/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/31/steele-focused-critical-races-rebuilding-gop/. November 9, 2013. dead.
  50. News: John. Bresnahan. Dem closing in key N.Y. House race. Politico. Allbritton Communications. Arlington, VA. March 11, 2009 . March 12, 2009.
  51. News: Joseph. Spector. Obama For Murphy. The Journal News. White Plains, NY. March 25, 2009. March 25, 2009. November 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101071846/http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2009/03/25/obama-for-murphy/. dead.
  52. News: Obama Flexes Political Muscle, Enters NY Congressional Race. Sam Stein. Huffington Post. March 25, 2009.
  53. News: Jonathan. Martin. Biden cuts radio ad in New York race. Politico. Allbritton Communications. Arlington, VA. March 25, 2009 . March 26, 2009.
  54. RNC Invests in Northeast . Republican National Committee . March 12, 2009 . March 12, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711113344/http://oldgop.gop.com/News/NewsRead.aspx?GUID=fdc883b3-a131-4fe0-b189-ace050abc5bd . July 11, 2011 .
  55. News: SEIU spends $90K in NY-20. The Hill. Washington, DC. March 12, 2009 . March 17, 2009.
  56. News: New York Has a Referendum on Obama . John . Fund . . March 28, 2009 . May 15, 2009 . New York, NY.
  57. News: Going into overtime . April 1, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . . Asheville, NC . Alisa . Harris.
  58. News: Josh. Kraushaar. Murphy is GOP's next tax target. Politico. Allbritton Communications. Arlington, VA. February 5, 2009 . February 5, 2009.
  59. News: David M.. Halbfinger. Stimulus Is Early Focus in Race for Gillibrand's Seat. The New York Times. February 23, 2009. February 24, 2009.
  60. News: Tatiana. Zarnowski. National GOP accuses Murphy of missing elections in 2000-03. . Schenectady, NY . February 19, 2009. February 24, 2009.
  61. News: Tedisco shakes up campaign after drop in Siena poll . Maury . Thompson . . Glens Falls, NY . March 12, 2009 . November 1, 2010.
  62. News: Murphy: Tedisco's Delay Was 'Shameful' . . New York, NY . March 16, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616114103/http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/murphy-tediscos-delay-was-shameful . dead . June 16, 2011 . Jimmy . Vielkind.
  63. News: Jimmy . Vielkind . Tedisco Blasts Murphy Over Ad . March 11, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616114136/http://www.observer.com/2434/tedisco-blasts-murphy-over-ad . June 16, 2011 .
  64. News: Liz. Sidoti. NY election seen as referendum on stimulus. Associated Press. March 22, 2009. April 30, 2009.
  65. News: Tedisco Targets Geithner On AIG, Murphy Targets Tedisco On Stimulus . March 19, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . Benjamin . Elizabeth . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090321021742/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/03/tedisco-targets-geithner-on-ai.html . March 21, 2009 .
  66. News: Bonus Backlash: Dem Strategy . Chris . Good . . March 20, 2009 . November 1, 2010.
  67. News: Editorial: Murphy for Congress . . Kingston, NY . March 22, 2009 . March 31, 2009 . February 20, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220005408/http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2009/03/22/opinion/doc49c2b9de0077d943104275.txt . dead .
  68. News: Editorial: Tedisco is best choice for Congress . . Poughkeepsie, NY . March 22, 2009 . October 26, 2009 . A12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092457/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/poughkeepsiejournal/access/1703946591.html?FMT=ABS&date=Mar+22,+2009 . November 4, 2012 . mdy-all .
  69. News: Scoop: Tedisco for Congress . Mark . Frost . March 26, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . Glens Falls, NY . The Chronicle .
  70. News: Tedisco For The 20th . . New York, NY . March 26, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121020215501/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/item_G80I82qIDMGIhFma1E8nJM%3Bjsessionid%3DC18CDA3B1ECBA2D2EC49CB2AB1E6060E . October 20, 2012 .
  71. News: Editorial: Scott Murphy in the 20th . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430132516/http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=7721095 . dead . April 30, 2012 . . Albany, NY . March 29, 2009 . March 29, 2009 . B4 .
  72. News: Tedisco is the choice. The Post-Star. Glens Falls, NY. March 29, 2009. March 29, 2009.
  73. News: Political Endorsement: Public service, experience . . Saratoga Springs, NY . March 29, 2009 . March 29, 2009 . April 19, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120419133539/http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/03/29/opinion/doc49cee3227093e937924250.txt . dead .
  74. News: Editorial: Tedisco gets our nod for congressional seat. Troy Record. March 29, 2009. April 5, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120220121342/http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/03/29/opinion/doc49ceeb8881dc1142980214.txt. February 20, 2012. dead.
  75. News: Irene Jay. Liu. Murphy now leads by Tedisco 4 points. . Albany, NY . March 27, 2009 . March 27, 2009.
  76. Siena New York 20th Congressional District Poll: Murphy Takes 4-Point Lead Over Tedisco in Final Week. Siena Research Institute. March 27, 2009. March 27, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090407070642/http://staging.siena.edu/uploadedFiles/Home/Parents_and_Community/Community_Page/SRI/SNY_Poll/20th%20CD%20SNY%20Poll%203%20Release%20--%20FINAL.pdf. April 7, 2009. mdy-all.
  77. News: Irene Jay . Liu . Siena poll shows Murphy-Tedisco race tightening . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430132539/http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=7623749 . dead . April 30, 2012 . . Albany, NY . March 13, 2009 . October 26, 2010 . A3 .
  78. Siena New York 20th Congressional District Poll: Murphy Cuts Tedisco's Lead From 12 to 4 Points. Siena Research Institute. March 12, 2009. March 12, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090320000927/http://www.siena.edu/uploadedFiles/Home/Parents_and_Community/Community_Page/SRI/SNY_Poll/20th%20CD%20SNY%20Poll%202%20Release%20--%20final_2.pdf. March 20, 2009. mdy-all.
  79. News: Irene Jay. Liu. Siena poll: Tedisco leads Murphy 46-34. . Albany, NY . February 26, 2009. February 26, 2009.
  80. Siena New York 20th Congressional District Poll: James Tedisco Has Early 46%-34% Lead Over Scott Murphy. Siena Research Institute. February 26, 2009. February 26, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090324235335/http://staging.siena.edu/uploadedFiles/Home/Parents_and_Community/Community_Page/SRI/SNY_Poll/20th%20CD%20SNY%20Poll%20Release%20--%20Final.pdf. March 24, 2009. mdy-all.
  81. News: Josh. Kraushaar. Republican holds early lead for Gillibrand seat. Politico. Allbritton Communications. Arlington, VA. February 6, 2009. February 26, 2009.
  82. News: Valerie. Bauman. Razor-thin NY House race goes to absentee count. Associated Press. March 31, 2009.
  83. News: Keith B.. Richburg. Paul Kane . Absentee Ballots to Decide N.Y. House Race. The Washington Post. A04. April 1, 2009. April 1, 2009.
  84. News: Irene Jay. Liu. It's official: Murphy has 25 vote lead over Tedisco. . Albany, NY . April 1, 2009. April 1, 2009.
  85. Web site: Unofficial Results for NY 20th Congressional District. New York State Board of Elections. April 3, 2009. April 5, 2009. November 1, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204854/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults.pdf. dead.
  86. News: Tedisco Says He's Giving Up Leadership To Focus On Recount, 'Transition' . Jimmy . Vielkind . April 3, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616125301/http://www.observer.com/2915/tedisco-says-hes-giving-leadership-focus-recount-transition . June 16, 2011 .
  87. News: Brian Kolb Is the New Tedisco . Jimmy . Vielkind . April 6, 2009 . October 29, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616114329/http://www.observer.com/2944/brian-kolb-new-tedisco . June 16, 2011 .
  88. News: Jenny. Lee-Adrian. Tedisco takes 97-vote lead. Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, NY. April 7, 2009. March 31, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092511/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/poughkeepsiejournal/access/1701659771.html?FMT=ABS&date=Apr+07,+2009. November 4, 2012.
  89. News: Eric. Black. Coleman Franken Redux in New York?. MinnPost.com. Minneapolis, MN. April 1, 2009. April 1, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090403112517/http://www.minnpost.com/ericblackblog/2009/04/01/7790/coleman_franken_redux_in_new_york. April 3, 2009. dead.
  90. News: David M.. Halbfinger. No Decision Soon in Upstate House Race. The New York Times. April 1, 2009. April 1, 2009.
  91. News: Elizabeth . Benjamin . Let the Counting Begin! . . New York, NY . April 6, 2009 . April 7, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090412041141/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/04/let-the-counting-begin.html . April 12, 2009 .
  92. News: The battle over the absentee ballots . Josh . Kraushaar . April 13, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . . Arlington, VA.
  93. News: Tedisco challenges Gillibrand's absentee ballot . Josh . Kraushaar . April 14, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . . Arlington, VA.
  94. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY 20th Congressional District . . April 23, 2009 . April 23, 2009 . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204729/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDCombinedResults04232009.pdf . dead .
  95. News: Murphy Going to Congress . . Albany, NY . April 25, 2009 . October 28, 2010 . A1 . Liu . Irene Jay . Hornbeck . Leigh . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101080630/http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=7934082 . dead .
  96. News: Murphy sworn in surrounded by his 'very large family' . Dlouhy . Jennifer A. . . Albany, NY . April 29, 2009 . April 29, 2009 .
  97. Web site: Statement of Canvass: 20th Congressional District . . May 2009 . May 15, 2009 . November 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131105210520/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialElectionResults.pdf . dead .
  98. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 6, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204350/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults040609.pdf . dead .
  99. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 7, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204032/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults040709.pdf . dead .
  100. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 8, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101203157/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults040809.pdf . dead .
  101. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 9, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101205143/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults040909.pdf . dead .
  102. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 10, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101203319/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041009.pdf . dead .
  103. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 13, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204935/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041309.pdf . dead .
  104. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 14, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204440/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041409b.pdf . dead .
  105. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 15, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204520/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041509b.pdf . dead .
  106. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 16, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101204309/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041609b.pdf . dead .
  107. Web site: Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY20th Congressional District . April 17, 2009 . November 28, 2010 . . September 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235144/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2009/Special/20thCDSpecialUnofficialResults041709b.pdf . dead .
  108. News: Riding the Republican wave . Vielkind . Jimmy . . Albany, NY . December 22, 2010 . December 27, 2010 .
  109. News: Upstate New York House Race Is Too Close to Call . Halbfinger . David M. . The New York Times. March 31, 2009 . December 27, 2010 .
  110. News: Post-Game: From a Back-Row Seat, Tedisco Mans Up . Jimmy . Vielkind . April 27, 2009 . December 2, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616130828/http://www.observer.com/3267/from-back-row-tedisco-mans-up . June 16, 2011 .
  111. News: Another GOP Defeat . April 28, 2009 . A13 . . New York, NY . December 2, 2010.
  112. News: Why Scott Murphy Matters . David . Freedlander . May 22, 2009 . December 2, 2010 . The Capitol . https://web.archive.org/web/20101005091730/http://nycapitolnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1495/2009-05-22.html . October 5, 2010.
  113. News: Schulte Stays With Murphy, Now Chief of Staff . Jimmy . Vielkind . April 30, 2009 . December 2, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110616125933/http://www.observer.com/3322/schulte-stays-with-murphy-now-chief-staff . June 16, 2011 . mdy-all .
  114. News: Murphy Names McKeon Communications Director . Jimmy . Vielkind . May 15, 2009 . December 2, 2010 . . New York, NY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111029182546/http://www.observer.com/3565/murphy-names-mckeon-communications-director . October 29, 2011 . mdy-all .
  115. News: Murphy goes to the other side for district director . . Albany, NY . May 5, 2009 . December 2, 2010 . Hornbeck . Leigh.
  116. News: Murphy gets new digs in Hudson . Leigh . Hornbeck . June 1, 2009 . December 3, 2010 . . New York, NY.
  117. News: Murphy opens Saratoga Springs district office with forum . Andrew J. . Bernstein . . Saratoga Springs, NY . May 2, 2009 . December 3, 2010 . March 8, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120308163705/http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/05/02/news/doc49fbafd435df4284200002.txt . dead .
  118. News: Gibson beats Murphy, Tonko wins . . Albany, NY . November 2, 2010 . December 2, 2010.

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