OBAMA EFFECT: Dem wins special election in GOP stronghold

Posted Apr 24, 2009, 1:25 PM PT by Jed Lewison • First broadcast: Apr 24, 2009

It’s now official: Democratic newcomer Scott Murphy has defeated well-known Republican state legislator Jim Tedisco in New York’s 20th Congressional District, a traditionally Republican seat vacated when Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the U.S. Senate.

Murphy trailed Tedisco until late in the election, but Tedisco’s outspoken opposition to President Obama’s economic package was unpopular with voters, giving Murphy an issue that he rode to victory.