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Gillibrand cruises to victory over Treadwell

By Jim Planck

CATSKILL — Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, has successfully retained her seat in Congress against a challenge from former NYS Secretary of State Alexander “Sandy” Treadwell, R,C,I-Lake Placid.

With all but five of 638 precincts reporting, Gillibrand won her second term in office fairly handily, with an unofficially tally of 175,737 to 108,966, and this as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican district.

Gillibrand also ran on the Working Families line in addition to the Democratic ticket, and Treadwell ran on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party lines.

Gillibrand thanked voters and supporters afterwards at her celebratory party in Saratoga Springs, and gave a note of special appreciation to organized labor, who she said gave her a chance two years ago, noting their continued support on the Working Families line in this year’s election.

She also thanked the volunteers who worked throughout the campaign for her, and said that voters across the nation wanted to have a say in their government, and have effected that result at the polls.

Gillibrand said that there “is so much more to do,” and that with an Obama presidency it will happen.

She said that voter mandates to address issues like the economy, energy and the Iraq war in 2006 became unachievable under the Bush administration, but added that now there will be a “different majority” and the bills “will not be vetoed.”

Gillibrand said that the biggest issue is to grow the economy, and that in the 20th District many opportunities exist for jobs through expanding technology, and said that could include such concepts as building “a light rail up the 87 corridor.”

She said that by building the economy, it would “build the middle class,” later adding in interview that the economy will be the number one issue the new Congress works on after the turn of the year.

“People are really struggling,” said Gillibrand, noting that the goal will be to build “infrastructure to give jobs and strengthen the middle class.”

She said the second most important goal will be to “work on energy,” including “investing in agriculture and manufacturing.”

Gillibrand said the third prime goal will be health care, but indicated that it may “take some time” because it has a greater number of political perspectives.

Gillibrand also said that she anticipates significant change in the accomplishments at Washington under the new administration.

“I think it’ll make a difference because now we have a President who wants those (three goals),” she said, adding that there is bi-partisan support for addressing them.

“The President was not listening to the American people,” she said, in reference to President Bush’s use of the veto after a bill would make it through both the House and the Senate.

Treadwell, in his concession speech, thanked his wife and family and supporters, and said the race was a “long road,” but one that he “was proud to have been your candidate” for.

Treadwell said he spoke with Gillibrand and congratulated her, adding, “I wish her well in her work in the years ahead.”

The 20th Congressional District extends from the Adirondacks to the Mid-Hudson Valley and west almost as far as the Pennsylvania border, and includes all of five counties and portions of another five.

Greene, Columbia, Washington, Warren, and Saratoga counties are entirely within the district, and Dutchess, Delaware, Otsego, Rensselaer, and Essex counties are the ones partly within it.

The unofficial numbers for each are Greene (with 94-percent of the vote in) - Gillibrand 10,827, Treadwell 8,458; Dutchess - Gillibrand 25,056, Treadwell 16,707; Rensselaer - Gillibrand 18,318, Treadwell 10,524; Saratoga - Gillibrand 58,365, Treadwell 35,371; Washington - Gillibrand 14,812, Treadwell 7,582; Warren - Gillibrand 17,679, Treadwell 9,889; and Essex - Gillibrand 2,701, Treadwell 2,502.

Unofficial numbers for Delaware County, Otsego County, and Columbia County were unavailable at press time.

To reach reporter Jim Planck, call 518-943-2100, ext. 3324, or e-mail jplanck@thedailymail.net.

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