| With Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand headed to the U.S. Senate, the speculation has already begun on who will run in a special election for her House seat in the 20th congressional district.
According to Democratic and Republican Party insiders, there are nine names being tossed around as potential candidates for both sides. There also might be a few to add to this list.
The Democrats are Coxsackie Town Supervisor Alex Betke and Saratoga County Democratic chairman Larry Bulman. Both are in the district and both are considered grassroots leaders. There is also talk about getting Tracey Brooks or Darius Shahinfar to move in the district and run for the seat. Brooks and Shahinfar both ran in the 21st congressional district Democratic primary, only to lose to eventual winner Congressman Paul Tonko. Mike Russo, who ran for New York State Senate in the 43rd Senate District and also serves as Rep. Gillibrand's district director, is also being mentioned as a possible candidate.
On the Republican side, it looks like four names are being considered for the special election. Sandy Treadwell, who ran and lost in November to Gillibrand, is being considered for another run. Treadwell has money, which puts him in a great position if he wants to spend his way to Congress. Also, 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate John Faso is being tossed around as a potential candidate. Faso would make an interesting candidate and would have some level of name recognition from his run in 2006.
The other Republicans being mentioned are both state senators. Betty Little and Roy McDonald are also contenders. If either of those candidates run, that puts the New York State Republicans in a position where they must defend another New York State Senate seat. For the Democrats, that would not be a bad thing. Little represents SD-45 and McDonald represents SD-43. The enrollment advantage in both favors the Republicans, but with a strong Democratic challenger, we can win.
The Democrats would have an enrollment disadvantage in NY-20. As of November 1, 2008, Republicans have 196,118 registered voters to the Democrats' 125,486. But there are also 118,364 blanks, which could make this race interesting.
This is not going to be easy. It is an uphill battle for us. But considering the new U.S. senator will be the former representative for the seat, that might help get a Democrat elected. We will have to wait and see what kind of role Gillibrand will play in the special election for the seat that helped get her to this point. |
