WWDD?

Two new stories this morning about Darrel Aubertine preparing for a run for Congress. Both cite inside party sources (The Hill, which mistakenly positions the 23rd district along the shores of Lake Erie, mentions unnamed “reports from New York”.)

I guess the news tag for these stories is Democrats, who had set a deadline for declaring candidacy last week, extended that deadline to this Thursday. Hence, a lot of “Aubertine is talking very seriously with his wife and children” kinda stuff today.

The political parameters haven’t changed much. Republicans desperately need this seat, just to show they can win an election in the Northeast. Aubertine is the frontrunner for the Democrats, but his departure from the State Senate could plunge that august body back into leadership chaos.

What Will Darrel Do?

Meanwhile, it’s increasingly likely a special election wouldn’t be held until November, since confirmation hearings for John McHugh to be Secretary of the Army – the domino which started it all – haven’t even been scheduled yet.