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.

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, Owens unhappy with failure to act on 1099

Here's a quickie that I just penned on the Senate's failure to address the 1099 requirement contained with President Obama's health care overhaul bill:

President Barack Obama gained a political victory this week following a crucial vote to clear the way for a bill aimed at creating a $30 billion government fund to help open up lending for credit-starved small businesses.

Two Republican senators – Ohio’s George Voinovich and Florida’s George LeMieux – joined Democrats to end a GOP filibuster of the bill.

But two North Country congressmen are unhappy that amendments to ease a requirement in the massive health care reform bill weren’t attached to the legislation.

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.

Longtime Democratic strategist backing Gibson

Here's a release from Chris Gibson's Congressional campaign.

Gibson -- a Republican -- is challenging incumbent Democrat Scott Murphy's reelection bid:

Kinderhook, NY – The Chris Gibson for Congress campaign announced the formation of Democrats for Gibson, a district-wide organization of members of the Democratic Party who support Chris Gibson as the next Congressman of New York’s 20th Congressional District.

“We are proud that people from all political persuasions are supporting our campaign,” said Chris Gibson. “We have reached out to those looking for a better way forward regardless of party affiliation and welcome the support of Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Republicans, Tea Party and other new voters. Growing up here and in a union household, most of my family were Democrats. I am glad to have the support of this distinguished group of long time Democrats who believe that the way forward must include reducing spending, borrowing and taxing. Our children do not deserve to inherit the unsustainable debt that we have amassed and I will reach across party lines and work with everyone to change course.”

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."

Murphy condemns threats

Congressman Scott Murphy released this statement yesterday regarding threats of violence against some House members who voted for President Barack Obama's health care reform bill:

"The recent reports of threats of violence to some of my friends and colleagues are distressing and disgusting. Not only are the actions of outside individuals deplorable, but the dehumanizing comments and violent imagery being promoted by some in Washington are wildly inappropriate and set an underlying tone that condones these despicable acts. They must stop now. This is not about politics or policy; this is about common human decency. These threats and attacks must end."

Murphy to vote 'yes' on health care bill

President Obama picked up one more Congressional vote for his health care overhaul legislation -- Scott Murphy, who represents New York's 20th Congressional District.

Last year, Murphy voted against the bill along with several other House Democrats. Below is Murphy's official statement regarding his stance on the legislation:

“Last November, I voted against the House health care reform legislation because I did not believe it adequately addressed the fundamentally flawed system that has led to skyrocketing health care costs, bankrupt families, and excessive profits for insurance companies. In the months since that vote, I have worked closely with my constituents, my colleagues in Congress, and with President Obama to address many of these concerns and ultimately strengthen this legislation.”

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.