Tuesday’s special House election in N.Y.’s 26th Congressional District showed Democrat Kathy Hochul taking the seat from the Republicans. Hochul’s challenger was Republican Jane Corwin. Hochul narrowly won, 47 percent to 43 percent. A third candidate, Democrat-turned Tea Party candidate Jack Davis, garnered 9 percent of the votes.
Unhappy about changes made for Medicare
The changes House Spending budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan suggested for Medicare were addressed quite a bit by Hochul. Hochul vehemently opposed the changes. In last week’s debate with Corwin, who supports Ryan’s budget plans, Hochul said: “I will fight any plan that tries to decimate Medicare. That is something people in this district feel passionately about, and I do as well.”
A comment was given by Rep. Steve Israel of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He said: “Even in one of the most Republican districts, seniors and independent voters rejected the Republican plan to end Medicare.”
Support for Medicare changes by the House
Ryan’s Medicare redesign was approved by the House on April 15 with all Democrats four Republicans opposing. The proposed changes include federally subsidized premiums for private insurance, and would apply to individuals who are now younger than 55.
Hochul’s win something Obama likes
The Hochul win was something Obama was happy about. He made a statement Tues praising it. “Kathy has shown, through her victory and throughout her career, that she will fight for the families and companies in western New York, and I anticipate working with her when she gets to Washington.”
GOP disputes that Medicare was deciding factor
The idea that victory was depending on Medicare reform problems was debated by House Republican Leader Eric Cantor. ”This race is about the belief that it’s a three-way race,” Cantor said. He said this to reporters.
Seat vacated in sex scandal
After Republican Rep. Christ Lee’s sex scandal, Hochul now gets to take his seat. In Feb., Lee stepped down after shirtless photos of himself that he had sent to a woman on Craigslist surfaced.
Special elections continue
Two more special House elections will be held later this year to fill vacancies. California Democrat Jane Harman will be replaced by a political election in July. Dean Heller, Republican in Nevada, will be exchanged this year too. Those elections will be in Sept. The seat vacated by John Ensign will be filled by Heller in U.S. Senate.
Citations
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/24/new-york-special-election_n_866074.html
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/43161820/ns/politics-capitol_hill
Chicago Tribune
chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-pn-ryan-special-election-20110525,0,3908152.story
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