United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 congressional elections in New York were held on November 2, 2010 to determine representation in the state
of New York
in the United States House of Representatives
. New York has 29 seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 112th Congress
from January 3, 2011 until January 3, 2013.
The election marked the first time that New York used electronic voting
as the state was the last to implement the process under the Help America Vote Act
.
Republican candidates prevailed in a total of eight congressional races in New York, while Democratic candidates prevailed in the other 21; thus, the GOP gained a total of six House seats in New York.
The closest race occurred in New York's First Congressional District, where Republican candidate Randy Altschuler did not concede to Democratic incumbent Congressman Tim Bishop until December 8.
As of December 8 the post-election makeup will be as follows:
Current tallies
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Tim Bishop
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Randy Altschuler
, a local businessman. It was the last undecided Congressional election in the country when Altschuler conceded on December 8, 2010.
In the Republican primary, Altschuler won against George Demos
, an attorney and prosecutor who worked on Bernard Madoff
's case. State Republican Party chairman Edward F. Cox
was allegedly trying to dissuade primary challengers to his son Christopher Nixon Cox
, grandson of former President Richard Nixon
. Bishop had roughly $1 million cash on hand, while Altschuler had raised $800,000. A February 2010 SurveyUSA poll showed Bishop with a slight 47% to 45% lead over Altschuler.
On election night Bishop had a 3,500 vote lead. However within two days after it was reported the Dominion Voting Systems
voting machines had been rechecked and Altschuler had a 400-vote lead. Following a partial recount of absentee ballots Bishop was reported with a 15 vote lead on November 19. Altschuler conceded the election on December 8, 2010; Bishop led by a 263 vote margin.
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Steve Israel
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee John Gomez and Constitution Party
nominee Anthony Tolda, a financial consultant.
Gomez, a good friend of author Mark Levin, is a favorite of the Tea Party movement
. An attorney and former radio personality, he was encouraged to run by Sean Hannity
, a childhood friend. An endorsement by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Sarah Palin
followed.
Steve Israel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = |
|party = |Independent
|candidate = |Anthony Tolda
|votes = |1,256
|percentage = |0.7%
ran for reelection, challenged by Democratic nominee Howard Kudler. The district is located in Nassau County
on Long Island and is considered a safe Republican district.
King won reelection on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Carolyn McCarthy
was challenged by Republican, Conservative, Independence and Tax Revolt Party nominee Francis Becker (campaign site, PVS).
Becker is the first elected representative of the 6th Legislative District in the Nassau County Legislature. He is also the first elected official to challenge Carolyn McCarthy since Becker's brother, former Assemblyman Greg Becker, in 1998. The Becker brothers are the grandsons of Frank J. Becker
who served the district in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1950s and 1960s.
McCarthy won reelection on November 2, 2010.
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Gary Ackerman
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Dr. James Milano (campaign site, PVS) and Libertarian and Tax Revolt Party nominee Elizabeth Berney. The district, which stretches from eastern Queens across the Town of North Hempstead, is historically Democratic, and Ackerman won the general election on November 2, 2010.
However, Republicans picked up 2 city council seats in Eastern Queens and elected Republicans to the Nassau County Executive and Comptroller offices in 2009.
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Asher Taub (campaign site, PVS). Meeks hasn't had a serious opponent since his first run 1998 when he won with 56%. Although the district is located in heavily Democratic New York City, Taub was endorsed by a number of local newspapers. Meeks won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Taub is a New York attorney, member of the NYPD Clergy Liaison program since its inception in 1995, and the son of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor. Taub also had the support of the Conservative Party. Crowley won the general election.
from the 45th district. In the 2008 presidential election Barack Obama
won 55% of the vote to John McCain
's 45%. The district covers parts of Brooklyn
and Queens
in New York City
. Weiner won the general election on November 2, 2010.
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican nominee Diana Muñiz and Conservative Party nominee Ernest Johnson. In the Democratic primary, Towns won against Kevin Powell
, an author, journalist and congressional candidate in 2008. The 10th district is wholly within the borough of Brooklyn. Towns won the general election on November 2, 2010.
ran for reelection, challenged by Conservative Party nominee Alice Gaffney. In the Democratic primary, Velazquez defeated Bruce Hirschfeld, a mortgage broker, and George Martinez, a US State Department Cultural Envoy and a former New York State Democratic Committeeman. Velazquez won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Independence incumbent Michael McMahon
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Michael Grimm
, a former FBI Special Agent, and Libertarian nominee Tom Vendittelli. The 13th district covers the entire Staten Island
and parts of south Brooklyn
.
In the Republican primary, Grimm ran against the director of government relations for the Climate Group
Michael Allegretti. Vito Fossella
had earlier been rumored to be considering a comeback, but did not run. Allegretti had the support of the Republican County Committees of Kings and Richmond Counties. Grimm had the support of the Conservative Party's county committees. According to an April 2010 Global Strategy Group poll, McMahon led Grimm and Allegretti 56% to 23% and 56% to 24% respectively.
In 2008, Democratic nominee McMahon was elected with 61% of the vote. Following several controversies, six-term Republican incumbent Fossella decided to retire. Then the first Republican candidate died before the 2008 general election. The 13th district is one of a few districts across the United States which in 2008 voted for the Republican presidential candidate John McCain
and elected a Democrat to the US House.
Michael Grimm won the general election, unseating McMahon, on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Carolyn Maloney was challenged by Republican nominee David Ryan Brumberg, Conservative Party nominee Timothy J. Healy, and Independence Party nominee Dino L. LaVerghetta. Maloney considered running for Senate against Kirsten Gillibrand
, but decided against it. In the Democratic primary she won against Reshma Saujani
. Saujani was supported by Diana Taylor, companion to multi-billionaire New York City
mayor Michael Bloomberg
.
Maloney was heavily favored, but the Republicans have held legislative seats in this district as recently as 2002, and the Republican opposition is not token. Nonetheless, Maloney won the general election on November 2, 2010.
The district in on the Manhattan East Side
and includes portions of Queens.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Charles B. Rangel
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Jobs Now Party nominee Michel Faulkner
, a Harlem pastor and former New York Jet
, Independence and Vote People for Change Party nominee Craig Schley
, and Socialist Worker nominee Roger Calero.
Rangel, who has served the Harlem-area district since 1971, faced a primary challenge from Adam Clayton Powell IV
, Vincent Morgan and labor activist Jonathan Tasini
.
Rangel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Jose Serrano ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Frank Della Valle. The district lies entirely within the Bronx. Serrano won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Eliot Engel ran for reelection, challenged by Republican nominee Anthony Mele and Conservative Party nominee York Kleinhandler. The district encompasses parts of the Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland Counties.
Engel was born in the Bronx, the son of an ironworker. He grew up in a city housing project and attended New York City public schools. In 1977, while a teacher and guidance counselor in New York City public schools, Engel entered the special election for a seat in the New York State Assembly. In 1988, he was successful in a primary in 1988, ousting incumbent Mario Biaggi
, who had been charged with racketeering in the Wedtech scandal. He was eventually prosecuted by Rudolph W. Giuliani and later jailed. Biaggi ran again and lost to Engel in 1992.
Engel won 79% of the vote in 2008, 76% in 2006 and 2004, and 62% in 2002 when he defeated Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. In 2000, he fought back the primary challenge of State Senator Larry Seabrook. Election experts predicted that Engel would post similar numbers in 2010.
In March 2009, the AP reported that Engel was granted a legal annual tax credit on his Maryland residence. The Washington Post reported that the matter was reviewed by the Office of Congressional Ethics in August, 2009 and the OCE eventually ended its review on Engel, and Reps. Doris Matsui and Edolphus Towns, without recommending further investigation by the ethics committee.
Army veteran York Kleinhandler, has gained the GOP and Conservative Party endorsements from the party committees in the Bronx, Rockland County and Westchester County. Kleinhandler faces a Republican primary of his own against Tea Party candidate Anthony Mele in September, a primary that has brought local Republicans to physical blows and led to police involvement. He was also dogged by accusations "for predatory business practices against senior citizens" in Florida.
Engel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Nita Lowey
was challenged unsuccessfully by Republican and Conservative Party nominee (and former Republican nominee) Jim Russell
and write-in candidate Cortes DeRussy.
Lowey was first elected in 1988 (defeating Joseph J. DioGuardi
) and had few challenges since. The Republicans have endorsed write-in candidate Cortes DeRussy. Venture capitalist Paul Wasserman, who would have run against her as a Republican, backed out in July 2010. Mark Rosen, seen by many as the strongest competition, was called back to military service just as his campaign was gaining traction and was forced to drop out of the race. Theologist James C. Russell
holds the Republican and Conservative ballot lines by virtue of being the only person in the race in September, but the Republican Party disowned him after an essay in which he supported racial segregation surfaced; they currently have no way of getting him off the ballot. Lowey won the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent John Hall ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Independence nominee Nan Hayworth
. Hayworth is a GOP Young Gun. Although the district historically leans Republican, Hall has won the seat twice. Hayworth unseated Hall in the general election on November 2, 2010.
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Scott Murphy
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Chris Gibson, a retired U.S. Army colonel.
Murphy won the 2009 special election
for the seat which was called after Kirsten Gillibrand
was appointed to the United States Senate
in January to replace Hillary Clinton, who had resigned to become United States Secretary of State
.
Gibson unseated Murphy on November 2, 2010.
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican Conservative Party nominee Ted Danz, a former United States Navy Reservist and small business owner in the cooling and heating business. The district lies in the Capital District
of New York, including Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. Tonko won the general election on November 2, 2010.
and Working Families and Independence Party candidate ran successfully for reelection, defeating Republican and Conservative Party challenger George Phillips.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Bill Owens
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Independence nominee Matthew Doheny (campaign site, PVS). Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman
, who lost to Doheny in a Republican primary, was also on the ballot, but he suspended his campaign on October 5, 2010.
Owens had won this seat in a 2009 special election
by 48.7% to 46.5% (3024 votes) over Conservative Party of New York
nominee Hoffman, after Republican Dierdre Scozzafava
suspended her campaign and endorsed Owens less than three days before the election. Prominent Republicans, including former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin
, Minnesota
Gov. Tim Pawlenty
, and former New York Governor George Pataki
endorsed Hoffman instead of Scozzafava, who had been picked by Republican county chairs. While Barack Obama won a majority of the district's 2008 presidential votes, Democratic candidate Owens failed to secure a majority in the 2009 election. The district has rarely embraced Democratic Congressional candidates; Republicans had been elected continuously since the mid-19th century, and in three of the previous six Congressional elections the district's Conservative Party candidate received more votes than a Democratic Party candidate.
On November 2, 2010, Owens was re-elected to a full term over Doheny with a second plurality win, with Hoffman's vote tally exceeding Owens's margin of victory.]
Democratic incumbent Michael Arcuri lost in 2010 to Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Richard L. Hanna
, whom Arcuri had narrowly defeated in 2008.
The Libertarian Party of New York
backed 25-year-old Ernest Logan Bell (campaign site, PVS) and headed a petition drive to get him onto the ballot.
Hanna won the general election, unseating Arcuri, on November 2, 2010.
†Internal poll for Arcuri campaign
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Dan Maffei
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Ann Marie Buerkle
. On November 23, Maffei conceded to Buerkle after mounting pressure to disband his campaign.
In the Republican primary, former Syracuse Common Council
or Ann Marie Buerkle won against farmer and government reform advocate Mark Bitz and local leader Paul Bertan. Former congressional candidate David Gay dropped out of the race earlier and endorsed Buerkle. The Libertarian Party backed Marc Romain.
In February, 2009, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Public Opinion Strategies National Public Radio classified the NY-25th as one of 60 "Most Competitive" Democratically held districts. Maffei was targeted by the NRCC for his vote in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act
and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
.
Cook listed the race as "Likely Democratic" and CQ as "Democrat Favored". The district leans Democratic (CPVI D+3).
Though the race was expected to favor Maffei, the "conservative revolution" defeated him, sending Buerkle to Washington.
Republican, Conservative and Independence Party incumbent Chris Lee ran for reelection, challenged by Democratic nominee Philip A. Fedele. Lee won the general election on November 2, 2010, only to resign three months later due to allegations of infidelity.
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Brian Higgins
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Taxpayers Party nominee Leonard Roberto, an Akron native and a leader in the local branch of the Tea Party movement
.
Roberto declared his candidacy against Higgins on April 13, 2010. Although this is the same district formerly represented by Republican Jack Quinn, the district has a heavy Democratic voter enrollment advantage, and Higgins is generally popular in the district; as such, none of the major prognosticators consider this race to be competitive.
The district includes Chautauqua County and a large portion of Erie County, including a portion of the city of Buffalo. Higgins won reelection on November 2, 2010.
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Louise Slaughter ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Jill A. Rowland.
Two candidates were put forth by competing factions of the Tea Party movement. Rowland, a dentist, was originally mentioned as a candidate for Higgins's seat, but was persuaded by a faction of the party led by Rus Thompson to run against Slaughter instead. The faction led by James Ostrowski supported Michael Giuliano, a 29-year-old legal publication editor and attorney allied with Ron Paul
, but Giuliano dropped out of the race in July 2010.
Slaughter won against Eddie Egriu in the Democratic primary, and she is widely predicted to keep her seat without any serious competition. Fred Smerlas
, a former Buffalo Bills
defensive tackle who currently resides in Massachusetts, had expressed an interest in returning to Western New York to challenge her, but later stated that he would not do so this election cycle. Slaughter was criticized for supporting and helping pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
, particularly her proposal (later abandoned) that would have allowed the Congress to "deem" the bill passed
, and not have to vote on the bill itself. The district runs through much of the cities of Buffalo and Rochester and ends at Slaughter's house in Fairport. It is heavily Democratic (CPVI D+11) and Slaughter won the general election on November 2, 2010.
District 29 was an "open" seat. The candidates on the ballot were Democratic and Working Families nominee Matthew Zeller
and Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Tom Reed. "Tea Party" candidate Janice Volk is running as a write-in candidate. Tom Reed defeated Matthew Zeller for both the special election to fill the open seat and for the term beginning on January 3, 2011. On November 15, one day before his formal swearing-in ceremony to fill the seat left vacant by Massa, in Washington, D.C.
, Reed was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs and was scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday, November 18, 2010.
Democratic incumbent Eric J. Massa
won this district by 1.8 percentage points in 2008 over then-two-term incumbent John "Randy" Kuhl
. The district leans Republican (CPVI R+5), voted for John McCain
over Barack Obama
by a 51-48 margin, and, accounting for redistricting, had been held by a Republicans for almost a century, except for Democrat Stan Lundine
's time representing the area in the 1970s and 1980s. Massa had an active campaign war chest of over $38,000, most of it from labor union interests, and intended on using the fund for a 2010 campaign. The NRCC had also targeted Massa for voting in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act
. However, on March 3, 2010, Massa announced that he would retire after his first term, following reports that he had suffered a recurrence of cancer and allegations of sexual harassment; Massa later announced his resignation effective March 8. Although Governor David Paterson
planned on calling a special election for the same day as the general election, such a move does not appear to be legal under state law or the U.S. Constitution, and a pending lawsuit is attempting to force the governor into calling an election sooner.
Reed, the outgoing mayor of Corning
, announced his candidacy in 2009 and is the Republican nominee. Monroe County executive Maggie Brooks
, state senator Catharine Young
and Kuhl himself publicly acknowledged they were considering the race, but all three backed Reed. Black conservative
political activist Janice Volk filed petitions to challenge Reed in the Republican primary, but she fell less than 100 signatures short of making the ballot after her petitions were challenged by an apparent friend of the Reed campaign. She then sought help from James Ostrowski on a third-party challenge on a line that Ostrowski dubs the "Tea Party", but the movement failed to collect enough petition signatures to get onto the ballot. She insists she is still running as a write-in candidate in the general election, since there will be no primary, and continues to have Ostrowski's support. Angelo Campini also had proposed a write-in campaign but bowed out shortly before the primary would have been held, endorsing Reed.
The Democrats selected Zeller as their candidate in the event of a special election. Zeller, who was largely unknown until his selection, does not live in the state of New York, and claims to be a "native" of several towns ranging from Rochester to the Southern Tier. Zeller was an ROTC-trained Army officer who served in Afghanistan and holds master's degrees in international relations and public administration.
Prior to Massa's abrupt departure from his re-election bid, Rothenberg had rated the race as "Leans Democratic" (down from "Democrat Favored"), stating that it could be a "major problem" for Massa if the Republicans choose a "strong challenger". Both Cook and CQ listed the race as "Leans Democratic." Larry Sabato
had rated the race as a toss-up. Shortly after the departure, Rothenberg and CQ shifted the race to a toss-up and Cook moved it into the "Lean Republican" category. Sabato remained unchanged. National Review
, on the other hand, considers the race to be one of the easiest of the competitive races for a Republican takeover, on the order of "defeating the St. Louis Rams
" (the worst team in the NFL in 2009).
Reed defeated Zeller in both the special and general elections, with Volk only drawing a minimal share of the vote.
It was the last election for the (numerically) 29th district; the United States Census Bureau
announced it would be stripping New York of two Congressional seats based on the results of the 2010 United States Census. It could possibly be dissolved, or renumbered with another county from the east (Tioga County
) attached to it while another district (almost certain to be upstate, with candidates being the current 20th, 23rd, 24th or one of the Buffalo districts) is broken up.
* A district that has a partisan voting index of a party that is represented by the opposite party, and applies to an EVEN score
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. New York has 29 seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 112th Congress
112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
from January 3, 2011 until January 3, 2013.
The election marked the first time that New York used electronic voting
Electronic voting
Electronic voting is a term encompassing several different types of voting, embracing both electronic means of casting a vote and electronic means of counting votes....
as the state was the last to implement the process under the Help America Vote Act
Help America Vote Act
The Help America Vote Act , or HAVA, is a United States federal law which passed in the House 357-48 and 92-2 in the Senate and was signed into law by President Bush on October 29, 2002. Drafted in reaction to the controversy surrounding the 2000 U.S...
.
Republican candidates prevailed in a total of eight congressional races in New York, while Democratic candidates prevailed in the other 21; thus, the GOP gained a total of six House seats in New York.
The closest race occurred in New York's First Congressional District, where Republican candidate Randy Altschuler did not concede to Democratic incumbent Congressman Tim Bishop until December 8.
| 2010 pre-election | Seats |
|
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... -Held |
26 | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... -Held |
2 | |
| Vacant | 1 | |
As of December 8 the post-election makeup will be as follows:
| 2010 post-election | Seats |
|
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... -Held |
21 | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... -Held |
8 | |
Current tallies
Overview
The table below shows the total number and percentage of votes, as well as the number of seats gained and lost by each political party in the election for the United States House of Representatives in New York. In addition, the voter turnout and the number of votes not valid will be listed below.| United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2010 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
2,603,900 | 57.88% | 21 | -6 | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
1,854,302 | 41.22% | 8 | +6 | |
| Independent | 40,482 | 0.90% | 0 | +/-0 | |
| Totals | 4,498,684 | 100% | 29 | — | |
| Voter turnout | % | ||||
District 1*
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Tim Bishop
Tim Bishop
Timothy H. "Tim" Bishop is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes most of Central and Eastern Suffolk County, including most of Smithtown, as well as the entirety of the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southold, Southampton,...
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Randy Altschuler
Randy Altschuler
Randolph "Randy" Brody Altschuler is a businessman and politician on Long Island, New York. He was the Republican Party and Conservative Party candidate for Congress in New York's 1st Congressional District in 2010....
, a local businessman. It was the last undecided Congressional election in the country when Altschuler conceded on December 8, 2010.
In the Republican primary, Altschuler won against George Demos
George Demos
George Demos is a former Securities and Exchange Commission prosecutor, and a former candidate for the Republican nomination for New York's 1st congressional district in New York State's Long Island.-Early life:...
, an attorney and prosecutor who worked on Bernard Madoff
Bernard Madoff
Bernard Lawrence "Bernie" Madoff is a former American businessman, stockbroker, investment advisor, and financier. He is the former non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock market, and the admitted operator of a Ponzi scheme that is considered to be the largest financial fraud in U.S...
's case. State Republican Party chairman Edward F. Cox
Edward F. Cox
Edward Ridley Finch Cox , is the chairman of the New York Republican State Committee and the son-in-law of the late President Richard M. Nixon. Cox is a lawyer in the Manhattan law firm of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP where he has served as the Chairman of the Corporate Department and a...
was allegedly trying to dissuade primary challengers to his son Christopher Nixon Cox
Christopher Nixon Cox
Christopher Nixon Cox is a politician in New York and is the grandson of Richard Nixon.-Early life:Christopher Nixon Cox was born and raised in New York, and currently lives in Manhattan....
, grandson of former President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Bishop had roughly $1 million cash on hand, while Altschuler had raised $800,000. A February 2010 SurveyUSA poll showed Bishop with a slight 47% to 45% lead over Altschuler.
On election night Bishop had a 3,500 vote lead. However within two days after it was reported the Dominion Voting Systems
Dominion Voting Systems
Dominion Voting Systems is a privately-owned Denver-based company that sells electronic voting machines.In August 2010, Dominion reported that it has contracts to provide electronic voting systems to 600 jurisdictions in some 22 states of the United States, and has deployed 80,000 Dominion...
voting machines had been rechecked and Altschuler had a 400-vote lead. Following a partial recount of absentee ballots Bishop was reported with a 15 vote lead on November 19. Altschuler conceded the election on December 8, 2010; Bishop led by a 263 vote margin.
- NY - District 1 at OurCampaigns.com
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Tim Bishop (D) | Randy Altschuler (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 6-11, 2010 | 51% | 39% | - |
| Survey USA | January 16–18, 2010 | 47% | 45% | 8% |
| McLaughlin & Associates | November 18-19, 2009 | 46% | 26% | - |
District 2
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Steve Israel
Steve Israel
Steve J. Israel is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located on Long Island and includes the towns of Huntington, Babylon, Islip, and Smithtown in Suffolk County, part of the town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, and the...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee John Gomez and Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
nominee Anthony Tolda, a financial consultant.
Gomez, a good friend of author Mark Levin, is a favorite of the Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
. An attorney and former radio personality, he was encouraged to run by Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, a childhood friend. An endorsement by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
followed.
Steve Israel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = |
|party = |Independent
|candidate = |Anthony Tolda
|votes = |1,256
|percentage = |0.7%
District 3
Republican, Conservative, Independence and Tax Revolt Party incumbent Peter T. KingPeter T. King
Peter T. "Pete" King is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. King's central Long Island district includes parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties....
ran for reelection, challenged by Democratic nominee Howard Kudler. The district is located in Nassau County
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
on Long Island and is considered a safe Republican district.
King won reelection on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 4
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Carolyn McCarthy
Carolyn McCarthy
Carolyn McCarthy is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in central Long Island in west-central Nassau County and includes Mineola, the Five Towns, East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Garden City, Hempstead,...
was challenged by Republican, Conservative, Independence and Tax Revolt Party nominee Francis Becker (campaign site, PVS).
Becker is the first elected representative of the 6th Legislative District in the Nassau County Legislature. He is also the first elected official to challenge Carolyn McCarthy since Becker's brother, former Assemblyman Greg Becker, in 1998. The Becker brothers are the grandsons of Frank J. Becker
Frank J. Becker
Frank John Becker was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.Becker was born in Brooklyn. During World War I, he enlisted in the United States Army on July 22, 1918 and served until September 22, 1919. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from...
who served the district in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1950s and 1960s.
McCarthy won reelection on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Carolyn McCarthy (D) | Fran Becker (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin & Associates | October 6, 2010 | 46% | 45% | - |
District 5
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Gary Ackerman
Gary Ackerman
Gary Leonard Ackerman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 1983. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Dr. James Milano (campaign site, PVS) and Libertarian and Tax Revolt Party nominee Elizabeth Berney. The district, which stretches from eastern Queens across the Town of North Hempstead, is historically Democratic, and Ackerman won the general election on November 2, 2010.
However, Republicans picked up 2 city council seats in Eastern Queens and elected Republicans to the Nassau County Executive and Comptroller offices in 2009.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 6
Democratic incumbent Gregory MeeksGregory Meeks
Gregory Weldon Meeks is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1998. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes most of Southeastern Queens including Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, and Far Rockaway, as well as John F. Kennedy International...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Asher Taub (campaign site, PVS). Meeks hasn't had a serious opponent since his first run 1998 when he won with 56%. Although the district is located in heavily Democratic New York City, Taub was endorsed by a number of local newspapers. Meeks won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 7
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Joe Crowley ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Ken Reynolds (campaign site, PVS), a community activist in New York City. Green Party nominee Anthony Gronowicz (campaign site, PVS) is also running.Taub is a New York attorney, member of the NYPD Clergy Liaison program since its inception in 1995, and the son of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor. Taub also had the support of the Conservative Party. Crowley won the general election.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 8
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Jerry Nadler ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Susan Kone, a New York attorney. The district covers parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Nadler won the general election on November 2, 2010.- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 9
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Anthony Weiner ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Bob Turner, a New York businessman. Turner faced a potential primary challenge from Joseph Hayon, founder of Homework Helper Institute LLC, and member of the Board of Advisers of the American Family Association-NY, but Hayon dropped his congressional campaign to run for the New York State AssemblyNew York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from the 45th district. In the 2008 presidential election Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
won 55% of the vote to John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
's 45%. The district covers parts of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Weiner won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 10
Democratic incumbent Ed TownsEd Towns
Edolphus "Ed" Towns is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1983, and the former Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican nominee Diana Muñiz and Conservative Party nominee Ernest Johnson. In the Democratic primary, Towns won against Kevin Powell
Kevin Powell
Kevin Powell is an American political activist, poet, writer, and entrepreneur. Powell is also a nationally recognized activist who speaks against violence against girls and women, appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in March 2009...
, an author, journalist and congressional candidate in 2008. The 10th district is wholly within the borough of Brooklyn. Towns won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 11
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Yvette Clarke ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Hugh C. Carr. The 11th district is wholly within the borough of Brooklyn. Clarke won the general election on November 2, 2010.- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 12
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Nydia VelazquezNydia Velázquez
Nydia Margarita Velázquez is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes residential areas of three boroughs...
ran for reelection, challenged by Conservative Party nominee Alice Gaffney. In the Democratic primary, Velazquez defeated Bruce Hirschfeld, a mortgage broker, and George Martinez, a US State Department Cultural Envoy and a former New York State Democratic Committeeman. Velazquez won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 13*
Democratic and Independence incumbent Michael McMahon
Michael McMahon
Michael E. "Mike" McMahon is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was previously a member of the New York City Council....
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Michael Grimm
Michael Grimm (politician)
Michael Gerard Grimm is the U.S. Representative for , which consists of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former FBI agent, businessman, and U.S. Marine, having served in the Gulf War....
, a former FBI Special Agent, and Libertarian nominee Tom Vendittelli. The 13th district covers the entire Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
and parts of south Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
In the Republican primary, Grimm ran against the director of government relations for the Climate Group
Climate Group
The Climate Group is a non-profit organization that works with business and government to promote clean energy to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Group was created in 2004 and now has offices in the UK , the US, Europe, Australia, India, mainland China and Hong Kong...
Michael Allegretti. Vito Fossella
Vito Fossella
Vito John Fossella, Jr. is a U.S. Republican politician from the state of New York who formerly represented the state's 13th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms, from 1997 to 2009 serving as the lone Republican from New York City. Fossella, a Staten Island...
had earlier been rumored to be considering a comeback, but did not run. Allegretti had the support of the Republican County Committees of Kings and Richmond Counties. Grimm had the support of the Conservative Party's county committees. According to an April 2010 Global Strategy Group poll, McMahon led Grimm and Allegretti 56% to 23% and 56% to 24% respectively.
In 2008, Democratic nominee McMahon was elected with 61% of the vote. Following several controversies, six-term Republican incumbent Fossella decided to retire. Then the first Republican candidate died before the 2008 general election. The 13th district is one of a few districts across the United States which in 2008 voted for the Republican presidential candidate John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
and elected a Democrat to the US House.
Michael Grimm won the general election, unseating McMahon, on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Michael McMahon (D) | Michael Grimm (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Zeplowitz & Associates | September 22-23, 2010 | 46% | 38% | 16% |
| Global Strategy Group | September 19-22, 2010 | 51% | 33% | 16% |
| Global Strategy Group | April 7–11, 2010 | 56% | 23% | 20% |
District 14
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Carolyn Maloney was challenged by Republican nominee David Ryan Brumberg, Conservative Party nominee Timothy J. Healy, and Independence Party nominee Dino L. LaVerghetta. Maloney considered running for Senate against Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand is an attorney and the junior United States Senator from the state of New York and a member of the Democratic Party...
, but decided against it. In the Democratic primary she won against Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani is an Indian-American lawyer and politician who lost the 2010 Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 14th congressional district against incumbent Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. She was the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress...
. Saujani was supported by Diana Taylor, companion to multi-billionaire New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
.
Maloney was heavily favored, but the Republicans have held legislative seats in this district as recently as 2002, and the Republican opposition is not token. Nonetheless, Maloney won the general election on November 2, 2010.
The district in on the Manhattan East Side
East Side (Manhattan)
The East Side of Manhattan refers to the side of Manhattan Island which abuts the East River and faces Brooklyn and Queens. Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and lower Broadway separate it from the West Side....
and includes portions of Queens.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 15
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Charles B. Rangel
Charles B. Rangel
Charles Bernard "Charlie" Rangel is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1971. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the third-longest currently serving member of the House of Representatives. As its most senior member, he is also the Dean of New York's congressional delegation...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Jobs Now Party nominee Michel Faulkner
Michel Faulkner
Michel J. Faulkner is a former New York Jets football player and was the 2010 Republican nominee for U.S. Representative for . He is the pastor for New Horizon Church in New York City.- Early life and education :...
, a Harlem pastor and former New York Jet
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Independence and Vote People for Change Party nominee Craig Schley
Craig Schley
Craig Schley is a Political Strategist, Radio Commentator on current political and legal affairs, Block Association President, spokesperson for the Law Library and the official Liaison for the Veterans Action Group in Harlem, New York, and is the founder and Executive Director of VOTE People, the...
, and Socialist Worker nominee Roger Calero.
Rangel, who has served the Harlem-area district since 1971, faced a primary challenge from Adam Clayton Powell IV
Adam Clayton Powell IV (politician)
Adam Clayton Powell IV , was a member of the New York State Assembly. From 1992-1997 he served as New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx. Since 2000, Powell has represented the 68th Assembly District, which includes parts of Harlem...
, Vincent Morgan and labor activist Jonathan Tasini
Jonathan Tasini
Jonathan Yoav Tasini is a strategist, organizer, activist, commentator and writer, primarily focusing his energies on the topics of work, labor and the economy. On June 11, 2009, he announced that he would challenge New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary for the 2010...
.
Rangel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 16
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Jose Serrano ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Frank Della Valle. The district lies entirely within the Bronx. Serrano won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 17
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Eliot Engel ran for reelection, challenged by Republican nominee Anthony Mele and Conservative Party nominee York Kleinhandler. The district encompasses parts of the Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland Counties.
Engel was born in the Bronx, the son of an ironworker. He grew up in a city housing project and attended New York City public schools. In 1977, while a teacher and guidance counselor in New York City public schools, Engel entered the special election for a seat in the New York State Assembly. In 1988, he was successful in a primary in 1988, ousting incumbent Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi is a former U.S. Representative from New York and former New York City police officer. He was elected as a Democrat from The Bronx in New York City...
, who had been charged with racketeering in the Wedtech scandal. He was eventually prosecuted by Rudolph W. Giuliani and later jailed. Biaggi ran again and lost to Engel in 1992.
Engel won 79% of the vote in 2008, 76% in 2006 and 2004, and 62% in 2002 when he defeated Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. In 2000, he fought back the primary challenge of State Senator Larry Seabrook. Election experts predicted that Engel would post similar numbers in 2010.
In March 2009, the AP reported that Engel was granted a legal annual tax credit on his Maryland residence. The Washington Post reported that the matter was reviewed by the Office of Congressional Ethics in August, 2009 and the OCE eventually ended its review on Engel, and Reps. Doris Matsui and Edolphus Towns, without recommending further investigation by the ethics committee.
Army veteran York Kleinhandler, has gained the GOP and Conservative Party endorsements from the party committees in the Bronx, Rockland County and Westchester County. Kleinhandler faces a Republican primary of his own against Tea Party candidate Anthony Mele in September, a primary that has brought local Republicans to physical blows and led to police involvement. He was also dogged by accusations "for predatory business practices against senior citizens" in Florida.
Engel won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 18
Democratic, Working Families and Independence incumbent Nita Lowey
Nita Lowey
Nita Melnikoff Lowey is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously represented the 20th district from 1989 to 1993.-Early life, education and career:...
was challenged unsuccessfully by Republican and Conservative Party nominee (and former Republican nominee) Jim Russell
James C. Russell
James C. "Jim" Russell is a historical theologian, writer, political activist, and perennial candidate for political office. He was a computer programmer and network administrator for AT&T for 21 years in Westchester, New York.-Personal life:...
and write-in candidate Cortes DeRussy.
Lowey was first elected in 1988 (defeating Joseph J. DioGuardi
Joseph J. DioGuardi
Joseph J. DioGuardi is a certified public accountant and a Republican politician. DioGuardi served in the House of Representatives representing the 20th Congressional district of New York from 1985 to 1989. He was also the Republican nominee for U.S...
) and had few challenges since. The Republicans have endorsed write-in candidate Cortes DeRussy. Venture capitalist Paul Wasserman, who would have run against her as a Republican, backed out in July 2010. Mark Rosen, seen by many as the strongest competition, was called back to military service just as his campaign was gaining traction and was forced to drop out of the race. Theologist James C. Russell
James C. Russell
James C. "Jim" Russell is a historical theologian, writer, political activist, and perennial candidate for political office. He was a computer programmer and network administrator for AT&T for 21 years in Westchester, New York.-Personal life:...
holds the Republican and Conservative ballot lines by virtue of being the only person in the race in September, but the Republican Party disowned him after an essay in which he supported racial segregation surfaced; they currently have no way of getting him off the ballot. Lowey won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 19*
Democratic and Working Families incumbent John Hall ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Independence nominee Nan Hayworth
Nan Hayworth
Nan Alison Sutter Hayworth is the U.S. Representative for . She is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and nursing career:...
. Hayworth is a GOP Young Gun. Although the district historically leans Republican, Hall has won the seat twice. Hayworth unseated Hall in the general election on November 2, 2010.
- NY - District 19 from OurCampaigns.com
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | John Hall (D) | Nan Hayworth (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 23-26, 2010 | 47% | 46% | 6% |
| Iona College | October 20, 2010 | 43% | 44% | 13% |
| Monmouth University | October 15-18, 2010 | 49% | 48% | 3% |
| The Hill/ANGA | October 12-14, 2010 | 43% | 43% | 12% |
| Siena | October 5-10, 2010 | 43% | 46% | 10% |
| Iona College | October 6, 2010 | 42% | 42% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 11-12, 2010 | 42% | 44% | 14% |
District 20*
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Scott Murphy
Scott Murphy
Matthew Scott Murphy is an entrepreneur and the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Chris Gibson, a retired U.S. Army colonel.
Murphy won the 2009 special election
New York's 20th congressional district special election, 2009
The 2009 special election for the 20th congressional district of New York was held on March 31, 2009 to fill the vacancy created in January 2009 when the district's representative, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, was appointed US senator from New York, replacing Hillary Clinton, who had been...
for the seat which was called after Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand is an attorney and the junior United States Senator from the state of New York and a member of the Democratic Party...
was appointed to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in January to replace Hillary Clinton, who had resigned to become United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
.
Gibson unseated Murphy on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Scott Murphy (D) | Chris Gibson (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 23-25, 2010 | 42% | 51% | - |
| Public Opinion Strategies | October 17-18, 2010 | 42% | 44% | - |
| NRCC internal poll | Early-October, 2010 | 45% | 48% | - |
| Grove Insight | September 28-30, 2010 | 51% | 38% | - |
| Public Opinion Strategies | September 27-28, 2010 | 42% | 38% | - |
| Siena | September 12-14, 2010 | 54% | 37% | - |
| American Action Forum | July 28-Aug. 1, 2010 | 45% | 40% | 15% |
District 21
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Paul TonkoPaul Tonko
Paul David Tonko is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in the heart of the Capital District...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican Conservative Party nominee Ted Danz, a former United States Navy Reservist and small business owner in the cooling and heating business. The district lies in the Capital District
Capital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
of New York, including Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. Tonko won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 22
Democratic incumbent Maurice HincheyMaurice Hinchey
Maurice Dunlea Hinchey , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
and Working Families and Independence Party candidate ran successfully for reelection, defeating Republican and Conservative Party challenger George Phillips.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Maurice Hinchey (D) | George Phillips (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abacus Associates | October 20-21, 2010 | 51% | 34% | - |
| Magellan | October 19, 2010 | 43% | 43% | - |
District 23
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Bill Owens
Bill Owens (New York)
William Lewis “Bill” Owens is the U.S. Representative for , serving since the special election in 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Independence nominee Matthew Doheny (campaign site, PVS). Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman
Doug Hoffman
Douglas L. "Doug" Hoffman is an American businessman, accountant and former congressional candidate. He was the Conservative Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2009 special election for New York's 23rd congressional district. On November 3, 2009, he was defeated by...
, who lost to Doheny in a Republican primary, was also on the ballot, but he suspended his campaign on October 5, 2010.
Owens had won this seat in a 2009 special election
New York's 23rd congressional district special election, 2009
The 2009 special election for New York's 23rd congressional district was held on November 3, 2009, to select the successor to Republican John M. McHugh...
by 48.7% to 46.5% (3024 votes) over Conservative Party of New York
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
nominee Hoffman, after Republican Dierdre Scozzafava
Dierdre Scozzafava
Dierdre R. "Dede" Scozzafava is an American Republican politician in New York. She represented District 122 in the New York State Assembly, which includes most of St. Lawrence and Lewis Counties in the North Country and a small portion of Oswego County from 1999 to 2011.She was the Republican...
suspended her campaign and endorsed Owens less than three days before the election. Prominent Republicans, including former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
Gov. Tim Pawlenty
Tim Pawlenty
Timothy James "Tim" Pawlenty , also known affectionately among supporters as T-Paw, is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota . He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election from May to August 2011...
, and former New York Governor George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
endorsed Hoffman instead of Scozzafava, who had been picked by Republican county chairs. While Barack Obama won a majority of the district's 2008 presidential votes, Democratic candidate Owens failed to secure a majority in the 2009 election. The district has rarely embraced Democratic Congressional candidates; Republicans had been elected continuously since the mid-19th century, and in three of the previous six Congressional elections the district's Conservative Party candidate received more votes than a Democratic Party candidate.
On November 2, 2010, Owens was re-elected to a full term over Doheny with a second plurality win, with Hoffman's vote tally exceeding Owens's margin of victory.]
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Bill Owens (D) | Matt Doheny (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 23-26, 2010 | 42% | 42% | - |
| Siena | October 5-7, 2010 | 44% | 39% | - |
| Public Opinion Strategies | September 22-23, 2010 | 37% | 51% | - |
| American Action Forum | July 28-Aug. 1, 2010 | 41% | 39% | 20% |
District 24*
Democratic incumbent Michael Arcuri lost in 2010 to Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Richard L. Hanna
Richard L. Hanna
Richard L. Hanna is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life, education, and business career :...
, whom Arcuri had narrowly defeated in 2008.
The Libertarian Party of New York
Libertarian Party of New York
The Libertarian Party of New York is a political party in the United States active in the state of New York. It is the recognized affiliate of the national Libertarian Party....
backed 25-year-old Ernest Logan Bell (campaign site, PVS) and headed a petition drive to get him onto the ballot.
- NY - District 24 from OurCampaigns.com
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Hanna won the general election, unseating Arcuri, on November 2, 2010.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Mike Arcuri (D) | Richard L. Hanna (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 23-25, 2010 | 48% | 43% | 10% |
| The Hill/ANGA | October 12-14, 2010 | 47% | 37% | 13% |
| McLaughlin & Associates | October 6-7, 2010 | 43% | 46% | - |
| Siena | September 13-15, 2010 | 48% | 40% | 12% |
| Benenson Strategy Group† | August 29-31, 2010 | 50% | 37% | - |
†Internal poll for Arcuri campaign
District 25
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Dan Maffei
Dan Maffei
Daniel Benjamin "Dan" Maffei is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011, and currently a senior adviser at law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. He is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for his old seat in 2012.-Early life, education and career:Maffei was born in...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Ann Marie Buerkle
Ann Marie Buerkle
Ann Marie Buerkle is the U.S. Representative for , elected in 2010 in an upset of incumbent Dan Maffei. She is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life and career:...
. On November 23, Maffei conceded to Buerkle after mounting pressure to disband his campaign.
In the Republican primary, former Syracuse Common Council
Common Council
Common Council may refer to:* The Court of Common Council, an elected body of the City of London Corporation* Buffalo Common Council, the legislative branch of the Buffalo, NY City Government...
or Ann Marie Buerkle won against farmer and government reform advocate Mark Bitz and local leader Paul Bertan. Former congressional candidate David Gay dropped out of the race earlier and endorsed Buerkle. The Libertarian Party backed Marc Romain.
In February, 2009, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Public Opinion Strategies National Public Radio classified the NY-25th as one of 60 "Most Competitive" Democratically held districts. Maffei was targeted by the NRCC for his vote in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
.
Cook listed the race as "Likely Democratic" and CQ as "Democrat Favored". The district leans Democratic (CPVI D+3).
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Though the race was expected to favor Maffei, the "conservative revolution" defeated him, sending Buerkle to Washington.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Dan Maffei (D) | Ann Marie Buerkle (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | October 10-12, 2010 | 51% | 39% | 10% |
| McLaughlin & Associates | October 4-5, 2010 | 39% | 40% | - |
| American Action Forum | July 28-Aug. 1, 2010 | 44% | 41% | 15% |
| McLaughlin & Associates | July 26-27, 2010 | 46% | 37% | - |
| Kiley & Co. | June 27-30, 2010 | 54% | 35% | - |
District 26
Republican, Conservative and Independence Party incumbent Chris Lee ran for reelection, challenged by Democratic nominee Philip A. Fedele. Lee won the general election on November 2, 2010, only to resign three months later due to allegations of infidelity.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 27
Democratic and Working Families incumbent Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the southern two-thirds of Buffalo proper, most of that city's eastern and southern suburbs, and all of Chautauqua County.-Early life, education and career:A native of...
ran for reelection, challenged by Republican, Conservative and Taxpayers Party nominee Leonard Roberto, an Akron native and a leader in the local branch of the Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
.
Roberto declared his candidacy against Higgins on April 13, 2010. Although this is the same district formerly represented by Republican Jack Quinn, the district has a heavy Democratic voter enrollment advantage, and Higgins is generally popular in the district; as such, none of the major prognosticators consider this race to be competitive.
The district includes Chautauqua County and a large portion of Erie County, including a portion of the city of Buffalo. Higgins won reelection on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 28
Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party incumbent Louise Slaughter ran for reelection, challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Jill A. Rowland.
Two candidates were put forth by competing factions of the Tea Party movement. Rowland, a dentist, was originally mentioned as a candidate for Higgins's seat, but was persuaded by a faction of the party led by Rus Thompson to run against Slaughter instead. The faction led by James Ostrowski supported Michael Giuliano, a 29-year-old legal publication editor and attorney allied with Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
, but Giuliano dropped out of the race in July 2010.
Slaughter won against Eddie Egriu in the Democratic primary, and she is widely predicted to keep her seat without any serious competition. Fred Smerlas
Fred Smerlas
Frederic Charles Smerlas is a former American football defensive lineman who was a 5-time NFL Pro Bowl selection during 14-year career as a nose tackle with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots.Smerlas, of Greek-American descent, graduated from Waltham High School in...
, a former Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive tackle who currently resides in Massachusetts, had expressed an interest in returning to Western New York to challenge her, but later stated that he would not do so this election cycle. Slaughter was criticized for supporting and helping pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
, particularly her proposal (later abandoned) that would have allowed the Congress to "deem" the bill passed
Self-executing rule
The self-executing rule, also known as "deem and pass", is procedural measure used by the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation. If the full House votes to approve a legislative rule that contains such a provision, the House then deems a second bill as also approved without requiring...
, and not have to vote on the bill itself. The district runs through much of the cities of Buffalo and Rochester and ends at Slaughter's house in Fairport. It is heavily Democratic (CPVI D+11) and Slaughter won the general election on November 2, 2010.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
District 29*
District 29 was an "open" seat. The candidates on the ballot were Democratic and Working Families nominee Matthew Zeller
Matthew Zeller
Matthew C. "Matt" Zeller is a United States Army veteran of the Afghan War and the 2010 Democratic nominee for .-Early life, education and career:...
and Republican, Conservative and Independence Party nominee Tom Reed. "Tea Party" candidate Janice Volk is running as a write-in candidate. Tom Reed defeated Matthew Zeller for both the special election to fill the open seat and for the term beginning on January 3, 2011. On November 15, one day before his formal swearing-in ceremony to fill the seat left vacant by Massa, in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Reed was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs and was scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday, November 18, 2010.
Democratic incumbent Eric J. Massa
Eric Massa
-March to the Primaries:Freshman incumbent Randy Kuhl had been elected to Congress with slightly over 50% of the popular vote in a three way race in 2004. In early 2005, former U.S. Naval officer Eric J.J. Massa, a long-time friend of 2004 presidential candidate General Wesley Clark filed to run...
won this district by 1.8 percentage points in 2008 over then-two-term incumbent John "Randy" Kuhl
Randy Kuhl
John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. is an American Republican politician, and former member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He represented New York's 29th congressional district for two terms before being defeated for reelection by Eric Massa on November 4, 2008 by margin of...
. The district leans Republican (CPVI R+5), voted for John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
over Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
by a 51-48 margin, and, accounting for redistricting, had been held by a Republicans for almost a century, except for Democrat Stan Lundine
Stan Lundine
Stanley Nelson Lundine is a politician from Jamestown, New York who served as Mayor of Jamestown, a United States Representative, and lieutenant governor of New York. A Democrat, he was inaugurated Mayor in 1970 and served to 1976 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after the...
's time representing the area in the 1970s and 1980s. Massa had an active campaign war chest of over $38,000, most of it from labor union interests, and intended on using the fund for a 2010 campaign. The NRCC had also targeted Massa for voting in favor of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. However, on March 3, 2010, Massa announced that he would retire after his first term, following reports that he had suffered a recurrence of cancer and allegations of sexual harassment; Massa later announced his resignation effective March 8. Although Governor David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
planned on calling a special election for the same day as the general election, such a move does not appear to be legal under state law or the U.S. Constitution, and a pending lawsuit is attempting to force the governor into calling an election sooner.
Reed, the outgoing mayor of Corning
Corning (city), New York
Corning is a city in Steuben County, New York, United States, on the Chemung River. The population was 10,842 at the 2000 census. It is named for Erastus Corning, an Albany financier and railroad executive who was an investor in the company that developed the community.- Overview :The city of...
, announced his candidacy in 2009 and is the Republican nominee. Monroe County executive Maggie Brooks
Maggie Brooks
Maggie A. Brooks is a broadcasting personality and politician most notable for having served as the first female County Executive of Monroe County, New York....
, state senator Catharine Young
Catharine Young
Catharine M. "Cathy" Young is an American legislator on the state level who, as a member of the Republican Party, has represented New York's 149th State Assembly district from 1999 to 2005 and, since May 2005, the 57th State Senate district, which includes all of Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus...
and Kuhl himself publicly acknowledged they were considering the race, but all three backed Reed. Black conservative
Black conservatism in the United States
Black conservatism in the United States is a political and social movement rooted in communities of African descent that aligns largely with the American conservative movement...
political activist Janice Volk filed petitions to challenge Reed in the Republican primary, but she fell less than 100 signatures short of making the ballot after her petitions were challenged by an apparent friend of the Reed campaign. She then sought help from James Ostrowski on a third-party challenge on a line that Ostrowski dubs the "Tea Party", but the movement failed to collect enough petition signatures to get onto the ballot. She insists she is still running as a write-in candidate in the general election, since there will be no primary, and continues to have Ostrowski's support. Angelo Campini also had proposed a write-in campaign but bowed out shortly before the primary would have been held, endorsing Reed.
The Democrats selected Zeller as their candidate in the event of a special election. Zeller, who was largely unknown until his selection, does not live in the state of New York, and claims to be a "native" of several towns ranging from Rochester to the Southern Tier. Zeller was an ROTC-trained Army officer who served in Afghanistan and holds master's degrees in international relations and public administration.
Prior to Massa's abrupt departure from his re-election bid, Rothenberg had rated the race as "Leans Democratic" (down from "Democrat Favored"), stating that it could be a "major problem" for Massa if the Republicans choose a "strong challenger". Both Cook and CQ listed the race as "Leans Democratic." Larry Sabato
Larry Sabato
Larry Joseph Sabato is an American political scientist and analyst. He is the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, and director of its Center for Politics. He founded Sabato's Crystal Ball, an online newsletter and website that provides free political analysis and...
had rated the race as a toss-up. Shortly after the departure, Rothenberg and CQ shifted the race to a toss-up and Cook moved it into the "Lean Republican" category. Sabato remained unchanged. National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
, on the other hand, considers the race to be one of the easiest of the competitive races for a Republican takeover, on the order of "defeating the St. Louis Rams
2009 St. Louis Rams season
The 2009 St. Louis Rams season is the 72nd season for the St. Louis Rams, and the 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season...
" (the worst team in the NFL in 2009).
Reed defeated Zeller in both the special and general elections, with Volk only drawing a minimal share of the vote.
It was the last election for the (numerically) 29th district; the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
announced it would be stripping New York of two Congressional seats based on the results of the 2010 United States Census. It could possibly be dissolved, or renumbered with another county from the east (Tioga County
Tioga County, New York
As of the census of 2010, there were 51,125 people residing in the county, with 22,203 housing units, of these 20,350 occupied, 1,853 vacant. The population density was 98 people per square mile...
) attached to it while another district (almost certain to be upstate, with candidates being the current 20th, 23rd, 24th or one of the Buffalo districts) is broken up.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Race profile at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Matt Zeller (D) | Tom Reed (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | September 14-16, 2010 | 30% | 44% | 26% |
| We Ask America | April 20, 2010 | 24.01% | 41.38% | 34.62% |
Key
External links
- New York State Board of Elections
- Primary results at The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- U.S. Congress candidates for New York at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- New York U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in New York from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- 2010 New York General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- House - New York from the Cook Political ReportCook Political ReportThe Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...