Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated Republican Jane Corwin in a special election to represent a conservative upstate New York congressional district.
To win, Hochul drew on voter discontent regarding Republican plans to drastically change Medicare. The other candidate was Jack Davis, a member of the Tea Party. The special congressional election was once expected to be a Republican victory by a landslide.
"Tonight the voters were willing to look beyond the political labels and vote for a person, and vote for message that they believe in," Hochul announced to her supporters after taking a phone call from her opponent, as quoted by Reuters. “We can balance the budget the right way, and not on the backs of our seniors. We had the issues on our side."
The election was called to replace Republican Chris Lee, who resigned in February after a photo of him without a shirt appeared on the Internet. President Barack Obama issued a statement congratulating Hochul.
"Kathy and I both believe that we need to create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce the deficit in order to outcompete other nations and win the future," his statement said.
Hochul attacked Corwin for backing a budget plan put forth by Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Reuters quoted Nancy Pelosi as saying in a statement that “Hochul's victory tonight is a tribute to Democrats' commitment to preserve and strengthen Medicare, create jobs, and grow our economy… It sends a clear message that will echo nationwide: Republicans will be held accountable for their vote to end Medicare."
