A couple of days ago this blog considered the vulnerable Republican seat in the south of New York State, NY 13. Upstate is another seat the Democrats hope to take. In 2006 the incumbent, James T Walsh, scrapped in with a mere 3,417 votes (For an English constituency this would be the equivalent of a winning margin of just 438 votes in Rugby - based on the total populations of NY25 & the new Rugby constituency).The most important city in the District is Syracuse - although the district stretches west to the Rochester suburbs. The main industries are Agriculture (Dairy & Fruit); Services; Manufacturing; Higher Education and Health Care.
Representative Walsh is a moderate Republican, often at odds with the party's Conservative leaders. He announced his retirement in January this year. His challenger in 2006, Dan Maffei, will contest the seat again. Former Onondaga County Legislature Chairman Dale Sweetland was selected by the Republicans in May.
Dan Maffei: http://www.maffeiforcongress.com/
Dale Sweetland: http://www.dalesweetland.com/
