For elections, North Country press puts craft before competition

We in the press are accustomed to the intrinsic competition that comes with the information game. We are regularly massaging our sources and probing new angles in the hope of getting something new, unreported and fresh.

The driving paradigm in the news business is be out in front of something and make it yours.

Major upset in the works...

Despite polls showing a close race in the GOP gubernatorial primary, Carl Paladino is sitting very pretty with 33 percent of precincts reporting.

Paladino currently enjoys a commanding lead over former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio. He has an eye-popping 68 to 32 percentage point lead as of 10:50 p.m.

It looks like tea party momentum will propel Paladino into a November general election against Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

Another interesting wrinkle: Lazio might not win the Conservative primary against the little known Ralph Lorigo.

Rice holds lead in AG primary...

With 33 percent of precincts reporting, Kathleen Rice holds a fairly safe lead in the race for New York Attorney General.

Rice has 33 percent of the vote as of 10:45 p.m., followed by Eric Schneiderman with 27 percent.

Sean Coffey, Richard Brodsky, and Eric Dinallo have 21, 12 and 7 percent respectively.

This race looks like it's over, so barring dramatic changes Rice will take on Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan in November.

No returns... yet

Okay, I'm heading over to Hoffman's primary headquarters at the Red Fox.

As of 7:52 p.m. I haven't seen returns for any races. That's sure to change soon.

Polls close earlier in New Hampshire, however, and it looks like (tentatively speaking, anyway) the tea party express may gain its first victory of the evening there.

Only a few precincts are reporting, but tea party-backed candidate Ovide Lamontagne is holding a 53 to 30 percentage point lead over GOP and Sarah Palin-backed former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. Both are angling for the GOP line in this November's U.S. Senate race.

Another Palin endorsement for Hoffman?

Speaking during an appearance on Fox Business Channel, Congressional candidate Doug Hoffman said he expects to be endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The Saranac Lake accountant has Conservative and Tea Party support ahead of the September 14 Republican primary. Hoffman received an endorsement from the former vice presidential candidate last fall before a special election for New York’s 23rd Congressional District seat.

Poll shows Hoffman with lead over Doheny

A poll conducted for Doug Hoffman’s campaign shows the Saranac Lake accountant with a commanding lead over his GOP opponent Matt Doheny.

The poll was released by McLaughlin & Associates and shows Hoffman with a 52 to 20 percent lead over Doheny, a Watertown businessman.

More than half of voters in the poll said they’d vote for the conservative Republican over the moderate Republican. 54 percent identified Hoffman as conservative.

Gillibrand on a fundraising tear

If there were any questions surrounding Kirsten Gillibrand's ability to raise funds, they've been answered loud and clear.

New York's junior Democratic senator pulled in $2 million in the second quarter of 2010. The Associated Press reports Gillibrand has more than $7.2 million in her campaign coffers as she prepares to run for her first full term this fall.

She was appointed to the seat last year by New York Governor David Paterson after Hillary Clinton was appointed U.S. secretary of state.

Three Republicans hopefuls will square off in a September primary. Barring any petitioning setbacks, those candidates will be Bruce Blakeman, Joseph DioGuardi and David Malpass; the deadline to file petitions was Thursday.

Malpass has $2.4 million on-hand; $1.7 million through campaign donations and $1.5 million of his own money. Numbers for Blakeman and DioGuardi weren't available Thursday.

Gillibrand will face a challenge in a September primary. New York City lawyer Gail Goode filed her petitions Thursday morning. She says New Yorkers deserve another option as they had to the polls.

Blakeman, Valpass will faceoff in September primary

Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will have to wait until September to find out who her challenger will be in November.

This from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) - Republican Senate candidates Bruce Blakeman and David Malpass have earned enough support to run in a September primary in New York.

Republicans meeting in Manhattan are choosing potential challengers to take on Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR'-sten JIL'-uh-brand).

Essex County GOP endorses Matt Doheny

The Essex County Republican Committee has endorsed Watertown banker Matt Doheny to run against Congressman Bill Owens in this fall's election.

My pal Nathan Brown at the Adirondack Daily Enterprise has an in-depth look at all of the GOP's endorsements.

Staudenraus to challenge Schumer for senate seat

A challenger to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has finally emerged.

Jim Staudenraus of Shelter Island formally announced his candidacy Wednesday.

The public advocate, author and businessman has been traveling throughout the state for more than a month drumming up support for his fledgling candidacy.

Staudenraus is angling for the Republican line in advance of this fall’s election.