Morning Read: NY Dems buck national trend

For a time, it seemed very possible that New York would be a big part of the national Republican tidal wave in 2010, with hints that even top-tier Democrats such as Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand might be vulnerable.

This weekend brought waves of brutal news for other Democrats in the U.S., which makes the latest Dem-favorable trends here in the Empire state even more dramatic.

The New York Times is reporting that Andrew Cuomo is far outpacing tea party favorite Carl Paladino, with the latest poll showing the Democrat up 59-24%.

Another significant trend is that Democrats in New York continue to lead in the fundraising race, at a time when nationally the Republican Party is hurtling past Dems in terms of cash-on-hand.

The Glens Falls Post-Star has a snapshot of the NY-20 race between Rep. Scott Murphy (D-Glens Falls) and challenger Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook).

Murphy had just over $1 million for his re-election bid; Gibson had $412,471. Murphy holds the lead even after his campaign recently repaid a $250,000 loan Murphy personally made in March 2009 during his initial successful run for office in last year’s special election in the 20th Congressional District.

Meanwhile, new poll in the Dan Maffei-Anne Marie Burkle House race also shows the Democrat with a commanding 12-point lead going into the final couple of weeks of the campaign, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Far more competitive, both in terms of fundraising and polling, is the Michael Arcuri-Richard Hanna race in the NY-24 district that includes a slice of the North Country.

This from the Utica-Observer Dispatch.

Campaign finance reports filed Friday by candidates for the 24th Congressional District seat show incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, continues to lead Republican challenger Richard Hanna, of Barneveld, in total funds raised.

But with just two weeks left before the Nov. 2 election, both camps Saturday said they remain confident in their strategies.

Republicans are still in the hunt in some of these House races.  NY-20, 23 and 24 all appear to be very competitive down the stretch.

But the challenges for the GOP keep piling up, even in New York districts that used to be safe territory for Republicans.

Tags: election10