Democrat Kathy Hochul's Victory Speech + President Obama's Statement

(Reuters) - Democrat Kathy Hochul drew on voter discontent over Republican plans to revamp Medicare to score an upset win on Tuesday in a special election to represent a conservative upstate New York congressional district.

Hochul defeated Republican Jane Corwin in a three-way race that also included self-described Tea Party candidate Jack Davis. The outcome did not affect Republican control of the House of Representatives.

"Tonight the voters were willing to look beyond the political labels and vote for a person, and vote for message that they believe in," Hochul told cheering supporters minutes after taking a phone call from Corwin, a state assemblywoman.

"We can balance the budget the right way, and not on the backs of our seniors," said Hochul, the Erie County clerk. "We had the issues on our side."

Once expected to be a Republican landslide, the special congressional election tightened in the final days, with a spotlight trained on the national debate over the budget deficit, spending and Medicare -- the government-run healthcare program for the elderly.

President Barack Obama, who is visiting Britain, issued a statement congratulating Hochul on her victory.

"Kathy and I both believe that we need to create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce the deficit in order to outcompete other nations and win the future," Obama said.

The election was called to replace disgraced Republican Chris Lee, who resigned in February after his shirtless photo appeared on the Internet.

Corwin came under heavy attack from Hochul for backing a divisive budget plan put forth by Republicans in the House, and also saw Davis siphon away support.

National parties and outside groups poured money into the district, hoping to claim victory in the battle over cuts in spending and Medicare first proposed by House Republican Paul Ryan.

"Kathy Hochul's victory tonight is a tribute to Democrats' commitment to preserve and strengthen Medicare, create jobs, and grow our economy," Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

"It sends a clear message that will echo nationwide: Republicans will be held accountable for their vote to end Medicare."

Only two Democrats since World War Two have represented the heavily Republican 26th Congressional District, which covers a big area of western New York near Buffalo.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions said in a statement that Corwin had to battle "two well-funded Democrats, including one masquerading under the Tea Party name." The Tea Party is a conservative activist movement.

Sessions added that while "each side would rather win a special election than lose ... to predict the future based on the results of this unusual race is naive and risky," and that special elections were "poor indicators of broader trends or future general election outcomes."

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[kindofbluenyc]

@eddyfinster indeed! The GoP are crazy.

[brysonisSXE]

I encourage republicans to continue defending paul ryan's budget proposal, MASSIVE DEFENSE SPENDING, taxpayer subsidies for oil companies, and billions in tax cuts for the top 2%. you'll be out of a job come 2012

[freakylocz14]

NY-9!!!

[jmwwd]

Amazing, if I were Obama I'd feel like such a loser, I'd walk outside the White House, approach the first white man I see, give him a leash and call him master. 90 years? Hopefully America realizes that niggers are good for nothing. They have small brains. All niggers touch go to shit. You can put million$ on a nigger's education and he will still shit the shit. They view the world from inside the fucking projects. They just don't understand it. Yes, Obama made me a racist. Thank u.

[abredell]

@eddyfinster 2012 democrats retake the house

[CristiClujeanul]

really?... how about to share your plan of war from the begining if u have enough influence and money to get elected?....

[whedonfreak976]

@kindofbluenyc i don't know at least crazy people have no control over their craziness, what is the GOP's excuse? it makes me sick that the corporate gop won the house, but just let them keep shooting themselves in the foot go ahead gop except ryan's plan i want that, and then you lose, 2012 pelosi will be the speaker again

[Stingerbillion]

I love GOP, i hope they continue to support Paul Ryan's failed plan. Plus, i hope lunatics continue to vote for Sarah Palin and Bachmann....please, oh please continue so dems can win in future. Tea Party = Democrats/liberals dream. I don't know why lunatics continue to support GOP. I mean, as soon as you elect them, they will screw you over in heart beat. Why do you vote for them? I hope it's not because of "tax cuts" in hopes that you will suddenly be rich over night. Never worked, never will.

[XQ55QX]

republicans shouldn't worry. this is just an aberration. the republican party is destined to win elections en masse in 2012. republicans will harass all normal people who want to run for president until every sane person drops out of the race & christine o'donnell becomes the nominee. republicans in congressional races will spew totally deranged conspiracy theories left & right until the taliban releases a video praising them. oh yes mes amis, the republicans are on their way to VICTORY!

[reytrapaet]

@brysonisSXE

Amen brother!