Democrats claim open upstate NY seat

[eilen]

http://www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf?/base/news-28/122585785426050.xml&storylist=state>

Democrats claim open upstate NY seat
11/4/2008, 10:56 p.m. EST
By WILLIAM KATES
The Associated Press
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — After a near miss in 2006, Democrats recaptured the Syracuse area congressional seat after almost 30 years of Republican control.

Democrat Dan Maffei won the race to succeed Republican congressman James Walsh.

Maffei garnered 54 percent of the votes with 79 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday. His opponent, longtime county legislator Dale Sweetland, had 43 percent.

Maffei, 40, an Ivy League-educated, Washington-groomed financial professional, came within 3,400 votes of upsetting the veteran Walsh in 2006.
The 25th Congressional District was one of four in the state Democrats hoped they could flip from Republicans. Democrats currently hold a 23-6 advantage in the delegation.

[Cha]

1. This is exciting! Thank you,

eilen.