News stories tagged with "23rd-district"

(12/22/10) New Census figures were released yesterday and the news wasn't good for New York state. Federal officials say population trends over the last decade mean New York will lose two seats in Congress. That could mean big changes in sprawling rural districts, including the 20th and the 23rd. As Brian Mann reports, the loss of power is also likely to trigger a bitter political fight in Albany.

(11/03/10) One of the few bright lights for Democrats last night was the re-election of Congressman Bill Owens over Republican businessman Matt Doheny in the 23rd district. After last year's special election, Owens earned his first full term by a slim 51 to 49% margin over Doheny. But it was conservative and erstwhile Tea Partier Doug Hoffman whose 6% showing that may have decided the race. David Sommerstein has our report. more

(10/29/10) The race between Democratic Congressman Bill Owens and Republican Matt Doheny has tightened to a near dead heat. And conservative Doug Hoffman is still playing a big role in who'll represent the 23rd Congressional district next year.

Today's Siena Research Institute poll finds Owens narrowly leading Doheny 40 to 37%, with Hoffman bringing in 15% of the vote, even though he suspended his campaign weeks ago. David Sommerstein reports. more

(08/17/10) Republican candidates for the 23rd Congressional district seat are making late summer pushes toward a September primary. Alexandria Bay businessman Matt Doheny has shored up support from the GOP establishment. All of the party's county chairs have endorsed him. Tea Party insurgent Doug Hoffman says he relishes the outsider status, just as he did in last year's special election that brought him to within a few percentage points of Democrat and Congressman Bill Owens. Hoffman trails Doheny significantly in fundraising. Lacking the get-out-the-vote infrastructure of a major party, Hoffman will need a big grassroots push to win. As David Sommerstein reports, whether he gets it is the central question of his campaign. more

(05/06/10) Alexandria Bay businessman Matt Doheny came into the race for the 23rd Congressional district with a liability. His main competition for the Republican primary, Douglas Hoffman, had massive name recognition after last year's special election. But Doheny has out-fundraised Hoffman. And he's secured more support from GOP county chairs. He sat down recently with David Sommerstein. In a moment, we'll hear his stance on immigration reform. He believes illegal immigrant farmworkers should have to go home before they can apply for a guest worker program. First, Doheny talks about his opposition to the federal stimulus package. In his stump speech, Doheny distinguishes between "good" and "bad" government spending. He supports federal spending at Fort Drum, and on roads and highways and bridges. And he's for spending on education.

(04/08/10) Jefferson County investment banker Matt Doheny officially launched his bid for Congress yesterday. The Republican made stops in Oswego, Watertown, and Canton. Doheny now has to beat conservative darling Doug Hoffman in a GOP primary in roder to challenge Democrat Bill Owens in November. David Sommerstein reports. more

(04/07/10) It's Easter recess for Congress. That means lawmakers are criss-crossing their districts, making their case to constituents that their vote on health care was the right one. For freshman Congressman Bill Owens, that was a "yes" vote.

The Democrat from Plattsburgh will face a rematch this November against Conservative Douglas Hoffman. Alexandria Bay native Matt Doheny and Franklin County legislator Paul Maroun are seeking the Republican nomination along with Hoffman.

Owens made his case for the health care reform package on the western side of the 23rd district yesterday. He visited Croghan's meat market and met with agricultural leaders in Lewis County and Boonville. In the morning, he spoke to classroom full of third through sixth graders at St. Mary's catholic school in Canton. He shook hands with teachers and some parents.

Afterwards, he told David Sommerstein he's reminding residents of the district that some provisions in the health care bill kick in later this year, things like family insurance for children up to 26 years of age, limits on lifetime expenses, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

(03/11/10) On Tuesday, Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman officially announced that he's running against Representative Bill Owens for the 23rd Congressional District seat. Martha Foley has more.

(11/20/09) The counting of absentee ballots continues in the 23rd Congressional district. As of Thursday afternoon, the Watertown Daily Times reported Conservative Doug Hoffman had gained 331 votes on Democrat Bill Owens with 48% of absentee ballots counted. Hoffman still trailed by 2,845 votes. The vote count was overshadowed by accusations of vote tampering made as a part of a fundraising appeal on Doug Hoffman's website. No evidence was provided. But a Hoffman spokesman singled out "two eastern counties" in the district. Election officials across the region say bipartisan checks and balances are in place to prevent tampering. None believes Hoffman has a case. David Sommerstein reports.

(11/13/09) The North Country special election that captured national attention isn't over yet. Bill Owens has been sworn in as the first Democrat to represent the district since the 1850s. But his election night lead over Conservative Doug Hoffman has been trimmed to just over 3,000 votes of more than 140,000 cast. There are still absentee ballots to count. But as David Sommerstein reports, a Hoffman comeback appears unlikely. more