New York Governor David Paterson today said he would likely set the special election in the state’s 20th district for March 31. The seat became vacant when Paterson appointed then-Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D) former Senate seat. Nominees for the House race have already been chosen by both Republicans and Democrats, because special elections in New York do not include party primaries. State Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco is the GOP nominee, while businessman Scott Murphy is running on the Democratic side.Republicans are favored in the race, which is being held in a conservative upstate district. They are hoping a Tedisco win would be a shot in the arm for a party that has weathered extraordinary losses in the last two election cycles.
Republicans have cried foul as Paterson has delayed setting the special election date, but the governor said he wanted to wait until spring so voters wouldn’t have to brave poor conditions to head to the polls.
{Aaron Blake-The Hill/Matzav.com Newscenter}
