Updated 03/06/2010 09:42 PM
Who will fill Massa's seat, and when?
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SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. -- With the news breaking Friday that Congressman Eric Massa is stepping down, the question becomes who will take his place and when?
Massa is still in his first term representing the 29th Congressional District and with just eight months to go until the next election, there's some speculation as to whether Governor Paterson will call for a special election or not. Fellow congressman Maurice Hinchey says an argument can be made for either case.
"There could be a very quick election here, perhaps, but that would be a very short term because the election would be coming up again in November. I think it's November 2nd or 3rd this year. It's an early election in November this year. But, at the same time, we don't want to lose a representative here in New York and it's very important to have all the representatives that you can have under the regulations,” said Rep. Maurice Hinchey, (D) 22nd Congressional District.
If the governor does choose to go ahead with a special election, it could be as few as 30 days before that vote is held.