Yesterday Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated Republican Assemblywoman Jane Corwin in a special election in the 26th Congressional district of New York. Hochul captured 48 percent of the vote, while Corwin had 42 percent and independent Jack Davis had 9 percent. The district in western New York, held by Republicans since 1960, became vacant when Republican Congressman Chris Lee resigned after shirtless pictures of him appeared on Craigslist.
Hochul, a former Erie County clerk, stressed her opposition to the House Republican budget plan, written by Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), which turn Medicare into a voucher program. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) stated, “Kathy Hochul’s victory tonight is a tribute to Democrats’ commitment to preserve and strengthen Medicare, create jobs, and grow our economy.”
During her campaign, Hochul pledged to work to improve women’s access to safe and adequate health services. Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, remarked, “New York voters made a clear stand against Speaker Boehner’s extreme and divisive anti-choice agenda by sending Kathy Hochul, a champion of the fundamental values of freedom and privacy, to Congress. Rep.-elect Hochul represents the district’s mainstream views, and she knows that voters want Washington focusing on creating jobs and protecting Medicare, not attacking a woman’s right to choose.”
