Gillibrand for Congress
The Democratic challenger has emerged as a better candidate than the Republican incumbent

It's time for a change in the 20th Congressional District in New York and across much of the country. The elections of 2006, potentially historic in their scope, ought to be when the Democrats regain control of Congress. Rarely has such an overall change been needed more, especially to restore the checks and balances that the Constitution provides.

From the Register Star, 11/4/06

Residents of Columbia and Dutchess counties have had a front seat for the battle royale between Congressman John Sweeney and his challenger, Kirsten Gillibrand. Whoever emerges from this slugfest will represent the 20th Congressional district

The incumbent, Republican John Sweeney, has been recently plagued by allegations of domestic violence and ethical lapses. Yet he seems to have a strong pocket of support.

The Daily Star, Oneonta NY and the Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Vote Gillibrand over Sweeney

In the 20th Congressional District, Republican Rep. John Sweeney has refused to have even one debate with Democratic candidate Kirsten Gillibrand and declined an invitation to talk to this newspaper's editorial board. Lobbyists, however, have had no problem at all in getting Mr. Sweeney's attention.

Metroland, the Capital Region's weekly newspaper endorsed Kirsten for Congress:

Kirsten Gillibrand has defied our expectations: We are not used to candidates with the kind of thoughtful, precise positions on important issues like the war in Iraq and the health-care crisis that Gillibrand has. She is a candidate any district would be lucky to have, but thanks to the unethical behavior, pathetic record and dim light of incumbent John Sweeney, the 20th district may need her just a little more than any other. Sweeney, who led the pack of thugs who halted a legal recount in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, has never had to fight to win or keep this seat-until now. And many consituents, this time around, seem generally fed up by his support of Bush administration policies (in spite of recent attempts to distance himself) and, especially, his questionable ethics. From his expenses-paid trip to the Marianas Islands and association with Jack Abramoff to his well-documented drinking, driving and domestic escapades-which might be more forgivable if he admitted to them and didn't blame them on a conspiracy of his political opponents-Sweeney has been plagued relentlessly by problems of his own making. Even his skill at bringing home the pork may not save him this time. We heartily endorse Kirsten Gillibrand because she is a candidate of intelligence and ideas who understands the consequences of both her own and of her country's actions.

Watch excerpts on video here. Watch an extended excerpt of the video here (part 1 and part 2).

Times Union coverage of the event:

Political foes pull out stops

Ex-president backs Gillibrand
By TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writer Friday, October 27, 2006

COLONIE -- In the Capital Region's most contentious congressional race Thursday, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand reached for some national star power as U.S. Rep. John Sweeney got down to earth.

PA/NY/CT/OH NEW POLLS: Eleven Days Out from Election, Voters Looking for Change and a New Direction

“Democrats like Joe Sestak, Kirsten Gillibrand, Joe Courtney and John Cranley will offer real change to the corrupt Washington tactics of their opponents,” said Bill Burton, communications director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Voters in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Ohio are clearly sick and tired of their representatives bringing Washington values back to their home districts.”

General Wes Clark Endorses Kirsten Gillibrand

Citing "Strong Moral Values and Ethics Reform for Washington" Clark says, "New York Needs a Leader Like Kirsten Gillibrand"

October 27, 2006. Little Rock, AR. Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley Clark endorses the candidacy of Kirsten Gillibrand for US Congress from the 20th District of New York.

GOP singing the blues in New York?

In the reliably Republican 20th District, a strong Democratic challenger gains on Abramoff-tinged incumbent John Sweeney.

Oct. 27, 2006 | It was a scene out of the worst Republican nightmare. There was a beaming Hillary Clinton, the senator who has replaced Ted Kennedy in GOP demonology, triumphantly telling a packed political rally at the Lakeview Restaurant here Monday afternoon, "It will be wonderful to go back to Washington after this election and be in the majority where we can set the agenda."

20th U.S. Congressional District

Here’s the fun race to observe. The fact that incumbent John Sweeney is in for a real dogfight against a previously unknown challenger in an overwhelmingly Republican district is testament to the widespread loathing for George Bush and the revenge being sought of his supporters. Mr Sweeney certainly falls into that classification and is paying the price.

REPLACE JOHN SWEENEY  -  The Granville Sentinel

October 25, 2006

It is rare for this newspaper to formally endorse a candidate for political office. The only less likely occurrence is for this paper to endorse a Democratic candidate facing a Republican incumbent.

But that is what we are doing today.

This newspaper believes that this coming election is one of the most critical in our generation and we believe voters must send a message to Washington and replace Congressman John Sweeney with his challenger, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.

NY-20: Kirsten Gillibrand (D) vs. John Sweeney (R-Incumbent)

Head to Head: Gillibrand 41%, Sweeney 42%. When asked to assess the job tht John Sweeney is doing, only 35% approve. Only 27% of voters in New York’s 20th district think that the country is going on the right track, while 60% say we’re headed down the wrong track and only 25% give President Bush a positive rating for the job he is doing. [Grove Insight, 400 voters; October 13; margin of error 4.9%]