Gibson forms energy advisory council

The Republican representing New York’s 20th Congressional District announced recently that he’s forming a group to advise him on a broad range of energy issues.

Chris Gibson of Kinderhook says the Energy Advisory Council will assist him in identifying the necessary steps to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

Gibson also wants to study ways of developing clean forms of domestic energy production and establish the role northern New York can play in that process.

Gibson takes lead in NY-20

This from the Associated Press this morning:

A new poll shows Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy trailing Republican rival Chris Gibson by nine points in the Albany-area 20th Congressional district.

A Siena Research Institute survey of likely voters released Tuesday finds Gibson leading Murphy by a 51-42% margin.

It's a big shift from a Siena poll last month, which found Murphy leading by 17%age points.

UNYTEA chair reacts to three-way race

The chairman of the Upstate New York Tea Party says he’s not pleased with Doug Hoffman’s decision to remain in the race for New York’s 23rd Congressional District as a third party candidate.

Mark Barie told WNBZ Thursday that Matt Doheny is the clear winner following last week’s GOP primary. UNYTEA backed Hoffman throughout the primary campaign, but its support has wavered since last week’s vote.

“Matt Doheny deserves our congratulations,” he said. “It was a hard-fought campaign; some would say it got a little bit ugly at times. Clearly, the people have spoken and it’s beyond challenge.”

Gibson opens satellite office in Glens Falls

The Republican challenger to Democratic Representative Scott Murphy in New York's 20th Congressional District is opening a satellite office in Warren County.

This from Chris Gibson's campaign spokesman Dan Odescalchi:

The Chris Gibson for Congress Campaign is pleased to be opening a satellite office in Warren County at 20 Ridge Street in Glens Falls. The campaign would like to invite neighbors and friends in Glens Falls and neighboring towns to visit the office for information about Republican/Conservative Candidate Chris Gibson or to support his campaign for Congress. The office’s official opening will be tomorrow, September 16th.

Murphy the Centrist

For the most part, I view visits from representatives and senators with a certain pessimism.

In general, their handlers have them on such a tight schedule that press access is limited and question-and-answer periods are short and topic-driven.

Not that I blame them -- when you represent a district like New York's 23rd, you generally have a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time.

But that was not the case when New York's 20th Congressional District Representative Scott Murphy rolled into the Tri-Lakes region Tuesday.

Working Families Party endorses Congressman Murphy

The Working Families Party endorsed Democrat Scott Murphy this week ahead of this fall’s election.

Murphy currently represents New York’s 20th Congressional District and will face off with Republican Chris Gibson this November.

Murphy won the seat last year in a special election to replace Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to New York’s junior senator seat after President Barack Obama selected Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state.

Independence Party endorses Murphy for Congress

The Independence Party of New York announced this week it will endorse Scott Murphy ahead of this fall’s 20th Congressional District election.

Murphy faces one challenger this November, retired U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Frank MacKay is chairman of the Independence Party of New York. He says New York needs a leader with a strong, independent voice.

Murphy votes to block Congressional pay raise

Congressman Scott Murphy, who represents New York's 20th Congressional District, voted in favor of a bipartisan bill today that stops the automatic pay raise of members of Congress.

In a press release, Murphy said his vote represents common sense.

"Instead of giving ourselves pay raises during these tough economic times, Congress should be focusing on creating jobs and helping the economy get back on its feet."

Do not pass go, do not collect $200

A former upstate congressman is behind bars today after turning himself in at the Saratoga County Jail earlier this week.

John Sweeney once represented New York's 20th Congressional District. Now, he's in prison to serve a 30-day sentence for driving while intoxicated.

Sweeney entered into a plea deal earlier this year. The agreement let him avoid a potential felony conviction and allows him to continue practicing law.

Lawyers convicted of felonies in New York face losing their license.

Once his 30 days are up, Sweeney must wear an alcohol detection ankle bracelet so his probation officer can monitor him from a computer. The device costs $4,000 annually, a price Sweeney is required to pay out of pocket.

Sweeney was arrested last April when troopers pulled him over for going 59 miles per hour in a 40 zone in Clifton Park. He refused a breathalyzer test.

He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI charges in 2007.

Ziegler bests Stec in Warren in race to challenge Murphy

Just got off of the phone with Burnt Hills business man and Tea Partier Pat Ziegler, who last night bested Queensbury Supervisor Dan Stec and secured the Warren County GOP Committee endorsement.

Sources close to the story told WNBZ, Ziegler recieved six more votes than Stec, even though Warren County is Stec's home.

Ziegler told me he is a passionate follower of all things political, but he expects the federal healthcare legislation to drive the upcoming election.