Big union leading toward Dem Owens in NY23

PolitickerNY.com has been doing some great, early reporting on the race to fill John McHugh’s seat.

There’s been skepticism about freshly-minted Democrat Bill Owens’ ability to win labor support.

But the website reports today that SEIU 1199 political director Kevin Finnegan is leaning toward Owens.

“We’re looking forward to working with the candidate who is going to be working with the president on health care reform, and we expect that’s going to be Bill Owens.”

Despite Republican Dede Scozzafava’s family connection to the labor movement in the North Country, Finnegan says he hasn’t talked with her.

“I don’t know her positions because I can’t get in touch with her; I presume she’s not interested in working with us.”

Politicker points out that during the Murphy-Tedisco race, SEIU spent more money than the Democratic Party working to get Scott Murphy elected.