2010 New York's 29th congressional district elections explained

Election Name:2010 New York's 29th congressional district election
Country:New York
Flag Image:Flag of New York (1909–2020).svg
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2008 New York's 29th congressional district election#District 29
Previous Year:2008
Next Election:2012 New York's 29th congressional district election
Next Year:2012
Image1:File:Tom Reed.jpg
Nominee1:Tom Reed
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:94,209 (special)
101,209 (general)
Percentage1:56%
Nominee2:Matthew Zeller
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:73,513 (special)
78,578 (general)
Percentage2:44%
Map Size:150px
Representative
Before Election:Eric Massa
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Tom Reed
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

Two elections in New York's 29th district were held on November 2, 2010. The candidates vied to replace Eric Massa, who resigned the seat on March 8, 2010, as a result of health issues and allegations of sexual harassment.

The Governor called for a special election to be held simultaneously with the general election on the same day, with the special election determining who would complete the remainder of Massa's unexpired term in the 111th United States Congress (from November 2010 to January 2011) and the general election determining who would serve in the 112th United States Congress.

Republican Thomas W. Reed Jr., the former mayor of Corning, New York, defeated Democrat Matthew Zeller and write-in candidate Janice Volk.

Background

Democrat Eric J. Massa won this district by 1.8 percentage points in 2008 over then-two-term incumbent John "Randy" Kuhl. The district leaned Republican (CPVI R+5), supported John McCain over Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election by a 51–48 margin, and—accounting for redistricting—had been held by a Republicans for almost a century, except for Democrat Stan Lundine's time representing the area in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] At the time of his resignation, Massa had raised over $600,000 in campaign funds.[2] The NRCC targeted Massa for voting in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act.[3]

On March 3, 2010, following allegations of sexual harassment and reports that he had suffered a recurrence of cancer, Massa announced that he would retire at the end of his term. Massa later announced his resignation effective March 8.[4]

On April 23, 2010, Steuben County Republican chairman Bill Hatch announced that he would file a lawsuit that, if successful, would force Governor David Paterson to acknowledge the vacancy and call a special election in the immediate future.[5] Clause I.2.4 of the U.S. Constitution requires the governor of a state to issue a "writ of election" for any congressional vacancy. The judge hearing the case denied a motion from the Paterson administration to dismiss the lawsuit on May 13.[6]

On May 12, 2010, Paterson announced that he would set the special election for November 2, 2010, and would not issue the required writ of election until October. Paterson's decision resulted in the general election and the special election occurring on the same day, with the winner of the special election serving until January 2011 and the winner of the general election serving from January 2011 until 2013. Furthermore, the redundant election complicated the primary election process; it was theoretically possible for either Reed or Zeller to be defeated in the primary election in mid-September, but to then remain on the ballot for the special election.[7] In addition, state law dictates that special elections cannot be held for vacancies acknowledged after July 1, except in special circumstances.[8] Following the announcement, Angelo Campini, who was challenging Reed in the primary election, stated that he would consider joining the lawsuit or filing one of his own over the date of the election if it resulted in him being pushed off the ballot.[9]

Judge David Larimer issued a ruling in the case on June 4, 2010, officially acknowledging the vacancy but declining to compel Paterson to call a special election before November 2.[10] The plaintiffs considered an appeal, but decided against it.[11]

Candidates

Democratic party

The Democratic Party chose Matthew Zeller, a 28-year-old CIA analyst who had not lived in New York since he had left for war, as their candidate. Zeller was an ROTC-trained Army officer who served in Afghanistan and holds master's degrees in international relations and public administration.[12]

Nominee

Not running

Republican party

Nominee

Not running or eliminated

Independence Party

Conservative Party

Working Families Party

Campaign fundraising

At the time of Massa's resignation, the lone announced candidate, Tom Reed, had approximately $120,000 cash on hand.[2] According to Reed, "in our last report, we raised $233,000."[40]

As of the first quarter of 2010, Reed has raised $481,879[41] and had $287,222 cash on hand.[26]

As of July 2010, Volk had not yet raised enough funds to need to file with the Federal Election Commission, which would indicate less than $5,000 in fundraising and/or spending.[42] Reed raised $686,449 by that point, approximately $100,000 from his own account, while Zeller had raised $137,885.[43]

As of September 2010, Reed had raised $809,464 and had $361,315 in cash on hand. Zeller raised $232,425 and had $50,418 in cash on hand.[44]

With Reed heavily favored, he donated $75,000 of his campaign money to the National Republican Congressional Committee and the New York Senate Republican Committee less than one week before the election.[45]

Endorsements

Tom Reed

Matthew Zeller

Janice Volk

Polling

Poll SourceDate(s)
administered		align=left Tom Reed (R)align=left Matthew Zeller (D)Undecided
Siena poll[46] September 21, 2010 align=center44%30%26%
We Ask America poll[47] April 20, 2010 align=center41%24%35%

Results

Reed won both elections[48] [49] by margins of 56%-44%. Reed, for the first time since Amo Houghton in 2002, won every county in the district. However, he lost his home city of Corning, as well as the city of Hornell.[50] All write-ins, including (but not exclusively) Volk's, totaled 527 votes for the general and 510 for the special, less than 0.3% of the vote.[48] [49]

References

Specific

General

External links

Official campaign sites

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Local Republicans may have had big hand in Massa success. . Olean Times Herald. . November 6, 2008.
  2. Miller, Rick (March 5, 2010). Democrats left surprised, GOP sees opening. Olean Times Herald.
  3. Benjamin, Elizabeth. NRCC Hits NY Dems On Stimulus . New York Daily News. February 12, 2009.
  4. Benjamin, Elizabeth (March 3, 2010). Dem Source: Massa Won't Run (Updatedx2) . New York Daily News: The Daily Politics.
  5. Web site: Hatch: Lawsuit To Force Special Election For Massa Seat . Canisteo Valley News . April 23, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  6. http://www.canisteovalleynews.com/index.php/Local/local-news/12505.html Judge denies Paterson 's attempt to get special election case thrown out of court
  7. Benjamin, Elizabeth (May 12, 2010). Paterson: I'll Call a Special Election in NY-29 . Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  8. Vielkind, Jimmy (May 13, 2010). Elections board: not sure if NY-29 special is legal . Albany Times Union. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  9. Web site: Angelo Campini Might Sue The Governor Over Special Election Date . Canisteo Valley News . May 13, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  10. Web site: Judge Sides With Paterson On NY-29 Special . Capitaltonight.com . June 4, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101225033719/http://www.capitaltonight.com/2010/06/judge-sides-with-paterson-on-ny-29-special/ . December 25, 2010 . dead .
  11. Web site: Dunning . Joe . Judge rules on special election - Corning, NY - The Corning Leader . The-leader.com . June 5, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  12. Web site: Today . NY-29: Dems Pick Zeller as Candidate - Rochester, News, Weather, Sports, and Events . 13WHAM.com . September 11, 2001 . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100629171004/http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/NY-29-Dems-Pick-Zeller-as-Candidate/Hi3PqAXrvk-6kG-bRMOBQg.cspx . June 29, 2010 . dead .
  13. Miller, Rick (March 21, 2010). Congressional candidates will be interviewed this week. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  14. Web site: Dunning . Joe . Winner: Paterson to call special election - Corning, NY - The Corning Leader . The-leader.com . March 10, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  15. Web site: Today . Dems Approach Green About Replacing Massa - Rochester, News, Weather, Sports, and Events . 13WHAM.com . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101203125834/http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Dems-Approach-Green-About-Replacing-Massa/-HqLbouCG0OhXaWkIJg5AQ.cspx . December 3, 2010 . dead .
  16. Web site: Hornell mayor will not pursue Massa's seat . www.WHEC.com . August 21, 2010 . January 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160130155132/http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S1454155.shtml?cat=565 . dead .
  17. Web site: Assemblyman David Koon Drops Out of Congressional Race . Canisteo Valley News . April 1, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  18. http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100305/NEWS01/3050393/1126/news/Li
  19. http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100308/NEWS01/3080369
  20. Web site: Democrats interview potential candidates for 29th district . RocNow.com . March 29, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  21. Web site: News - Gov. Paterson not expected to call special election to fill vacant seat . April 4, 2010 . Olean Times Herald . August 21, 2010.
  22. Web site: Briggs . Tyler . With Massa gone, what's next? - Hornell, NY - Hornell Evening Tribune . Eveningtribune.com . March 7, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110710205936/http://www.eveningtribune.com/news/x2096602416/With-Massa-gone-what-s-next . July 10, 2011 . dead .
  23. Web site: Today . NY-29 BLOG: Here's What I'm Hearing (UPDATE) - Rochester, News, Weather, Sports, and Events . 13WHAM.com . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100518172200/http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/NY-29-BLOG-Here-s-What-I-m-Hearing-UPDATE/gowyAUtM5UqiEmfzj0S8bQ.cspx . May 18, 2010 . dead .
  24. Web site: Gov. won't call election yet democratandchronicle.com Democrat and Chronicle . www.democratandchronicle.com . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100409190045/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100401/NEWS01/4010334/1003/Governor-won-t-call-special-election-for-Eric-Massa-s-former-seat . 9 April 2010 . dead.
  25. Web site: Paterson sets date for N.Y. 29 special. James. Hohmann. POLITICO.
  26. Zremski, Jerry (April 21, 2010). House in disrepute but area incumbents have little to fear. The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  27. Web site: Tim M. (view) . Candidates' petitions were due Thursday for major parties . Voteup.democratandchronicle.com . July 16, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . July 9, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011913/http://voteup.democratandchronicle.com/story/candidates-petitions-were-due-thursday-major-parties . dead .
  28. Briggs, Tyler (September 29, 2010). Pizzeria owner drops out of race . Hornell Evening Tribune. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  29. Briggs, Tyler (May 26, 2010). Allegany Co. woman enters race for 29th district . Evening Tribune (Hornell, NY). Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  30. Miller, Rick (June 13, 2010). Volk launches bid for Congress. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  31. Web site: Janice Volk's Political Petition Objected To . Canisteo Valley News . July 20, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  32. Web site: Briggs . Tyler . Despite petition challenge, Volk vows to soldier on - Hornell, NY - Hornell Evening Tribune . Eveningtribune.com . August 5, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110710210819/http://www.eveningtribune.com/newsnow/x1519717974/Despite-petition-challenge-Volk-vows-to-soldier-on . July 10, 2011 . dead .
  33. Web site: Briggs . Tyler . No "Tea" party - Hornell, NY - Hornell Evening Tribune . Eveningtribune.com . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110710210951/http://www.eveningtribune.com/topstories/x1422850929/No-Tea-party . July 10, 2011 . dead .
  34. Seiler, Casey (March 12, 2010). http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/23686/monroe-countys-brooks/. Capitol Confidential. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  35. Frisch, Kevin and Julie Sherwood (March 3, 2010). With Massa out, Republicans rethinking 29th district race . Canandaigua Messenger Post.
  36. Web site: Kuhl decides against run for Massa seat . Wivb.com . March 10, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . September 27, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154240/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/kuhl-decides-against-run-for-massa-seat . dead .
  37. http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=75066&catid=37 Young Responds to Massa Resignation
  38. Web site: Tim Kolpien . Reed Campaign to File More Than 820 Petitions Containing Over 10,500 Signatures . Tom Reed For Congress . July 14, 2010 . August 21, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100724080830/http://www.tomreedforcongress.com/press-releases/2010-07-14/reed-campaign-file-more-820-petitions-containing-over-10500-signatures . July 24, 2010 . dead .
  39. Web site: Challenges To Tom Reed's Petition Defeated . Canisteo Valley News . August 21, 2010.
  40. Web site: Recotta . Bob . Support for Reed expands - Corning, NY - The Corning Leader . The-leader.com . March 11, 2010 . August 21, 2010.
  41. Web site: Buffalo, NY Democrat Matt Zeller Running for Massa's Old Seat in Congress . wgrz.com . August 21, 2010.
  42. Terreri, Jill (July 12, 2010). Loaded field for Eric Massa's old seat . Gannett News Service. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  43. Tumulty, Brian (July 18, 2010). Tom Reed has a large lead in cash in 29th Congressional District . Gannett News Service. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  44. Briggs, Tyler (September 9, 2010). Money draws mud fight in race for Congress . Hornell Evening Tribune. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  45. Benjamin, Elizabeth (October 29, 2010). Reed's largesse . State of Politics. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  46. Web site: NY-29: Tom Reed Leads Matt Zeller, but Many Still Undecided . . September 22, 2010 . October 15, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101015041809/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/09/ny-29-tom-reed-leads-matt-zell.html . dead .
  47. Web site: New York's State of Mind…at least in the 29th District : weaskamerica.com . weaskamerica.com . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110207131331/http://weaskamerica.com/2010/04/21/new-yorks-state-of-mind-at-least-in-the-29th-district/ . 7 February 2011 . dead.
  48. Web site: 2010 Special Election Results, New York's 29th Congressional District. NYS Board of Elections. December 20, 2021.
  49. Web site: 2010 Recertified New York General Election Results, U.S. House of Representatives. NYS Board of Elections. December 20, 2021.
  50. Web site: Reed, Zeller score results on other's home turf - Hornell, NY - Hornell Evening Tribune . November 9, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927180229/http://www.eveningtribune.com/topstories/x742801271/Reed-Zeller-score-results-on-other-s-home-turf . September 27, 2011 .

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