Tuesday’s special House election in N.Y.’s 26th Congressional District showed Democrat Kathy Hochul taking the seat from the GOP. Hochul won just barely, beating her Republican challenger Jane Corwin 47 percent to 43 percent. Jack Davis, once a Democrat but now a member of the Tea Party, earned 9 percent of the votes.
Not happy about changes made for Medicare
The primary issues Hochul addressed in her campaign were the changes in Medicare proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan. Hochul vehemently opposed the changes. There was a debate with Ryan’s budget plan supporter Corwin last week where 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.”
House liked the Medicare changes
There were 15 democrats and 4 republicans that voted against Ryan’s Medicare plan on April 15. It was passed by the House still. Individuals younger than 55 would be able to take advantage of the changes which would allow federally subsidizes premiums for those younger than 55.
How Obama feels about the win
On Tues, Obama made a statement praising the Hochul win. “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 look forward to working with her when she gets to Washington.”
Medicare decisions for Republicans
Eric Cantor is the House Republican leader. He disputed claims that victory was even based on the Medicare issue. “This race is about the fact that it’s a three-way race,” Cantor said to reporters.
Sex scandal causes somebody to lose their job
A chair was lost when Republican Rep. Chris Less had a sex scandal. Hochul will not take that seat in his place. Lee had nothing left to do but step down in February. There were shirtless photos of him shown publicly after he sent them to a woman he met on Craigslist.
Even more vacancies
Later this year, there will be two more special House elections held. One, to be held in July, will be to replace California Democrat Jane Harman. In Sept, a political election will be held in Nevada to replace Republican Dean Heller. Heller has been appointed to the Senate to fill the chair vacated by John Ensign.
Articles cited
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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