Kathy Hochul Wins Craigslist Congressman Chris Lee's House Seat for Democrats

Disgraced Chris Lee

The special election in upstate New York's 26th District to replace Representative Chris Lee, who resigned after Gawker posted about his shirtless exploits on Craigslist, earning him the nickname the Craigslist Congressman, went to Democrat Kathy Hochul last night. The victory is being pitted as an upset since the district usually goes conservative, and because of the ongoing GOP campaign to change Medicare amid budget negotiations. Tea Party candidate Jack Davis managed to take enough votes away from early Republican favorite Jane Corwin for Hochul to get away with the win. "There are two reasons we won tonight," said New York Senator Chuck Schumer. "Kathy Hochul is a great candidate and...New Yorkers of all political persuasions do not want to destroy Medicare. This election was a strong referendum on both." [NYP]