Reports: Tedisco concession coming soon; Murphy leads by 401

Two news organizations, RollCall and Capital News 9, are reporting that Republican Jim Tedisco has “abandoned hope” of winning the special election and “could conceded to Democrat Scott Murphy as soon as Friday afternoon.”

According to the latest official tally, Scott Murphy leads by 401 votes. He’s held an advantage for nearly two weeks, which has grown steadily during the recanvassing.

Meanwhile, the liberal website Talking Points Media is reporting that Republicans challenged (unsuccessfully) the ballot of a prominent progressive radio host, Sam Seder, who was busy on election day with jury duty.

Sam was none too impressed when I told him that the Tedisco campaign alleged that he wasn’t a resident of the district. “Jerks,” he said. “I mean, I could tell you I’ve attended far more Livingston town meetings than Jim Tedisco has.”

Republicans earlier tried to disqualify the ballot of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Also, the Albany Times-Union has an excellent report on the reasons for ballot disqualifications — including an error that forced officials to discard votes from an Essex County nursing home.

In Essex County, elections officials brought ballots to a nursing home so residents there could vote, but then put the ballots in the wrong envelopes.

NCPR will follow developments in the 20th race through the day and will have an update during All Before Five.