Scott Murphy

ScottMurphy09.com

ALBANY—It's been a busy week for Scott Murphy.

On Saturday, he was a venture capitalist from Glens Falls with a low political profile, considered a longshot to be named his party's standard bearer in the race against Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in Congress.

On Monday, people started calling. Murphy went to Washington, where he met face-to-face with Gillibrand and representatives of the DCCC. (They have sent staffers to the district since we ran this.) Before he could issue his first press release - about the need to cap executive compensation at company's receiving taxpayer bailout funding -

Jimmy Vielkind

ALBANY—Republicans are continuing to beat the drum in the 20th Congressional District, complaining that David Paterson didn't immediately call for a special election to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in the House, even though it would be nearly impossible to hold an election that soon.

Today, the National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement from Republicans in the New York House delegation (all three of them!) calling for an immediate election because "the residents of upstate New York deserve to have a member of Congress representing their needs and addressing their concerns." In addition, after meeting Wednesday with R.N.C. Chairman Michael Steele, the Republican candidate, Jim Tedisco, said he wanted an election called as soon as possible, adding, "Like justice, democracy delayed is democracy denied.

Jimmy Vielkind

And Nelson Rockefeller watches over.

ALBANY—Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said yesterday that the race in the 20th Congressional District is "going to be a battle royale. We've come to play."

Appearing in the brick townhouse on Capitol Hill that houses the Republican State Committee beneath a portrait of the state party's last colossus, Steele praised Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, the party's chosen candidate, and the two repeated a call for a special election to be held in the district immediately.

"I get the political gamesmanship, the folks who want to drag stuff out to give their side a chance to ramp up, but the people of this district can't wait and they shouldn't have to wait," Steele said.

ALBANY—Scott Murphy will be the Democratic candidate for the congressional seat vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand, according to Rensselaer County Democratic Chairman Tom Wade.

Murphy, a Glens Falls venture capitalist, does not have wide name recognition in the district compared to other contenders for the party's nomination. His selection came after a day-long mini-convention at an Albany diner in which four candidates were interviewed for the seat. Murphy beat out Assemblyman Tim Gordon, attorney Carol Schrager and Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim for the nomination.

Wade said two candidates - former television anchor Tracy Egan and labor lobbyist Suzy Ballantyne - withdrew from consideration Saturday evening.