‘Republican state Assemblyman Jim Tedisco conceded the New York special election this afternoon to Democratic businessman Scott Murphy, giving the Democrats a key off-year victory in a race that both parties aggressively contested,’ Politico reports.

“Earlier today, I called and congratulated Scott Murphy on a hard-fought contest and wished him well as the next Congressman of the 20th Congressional district,” Tedisco said in a statement.

“This was a close campaign every step of the way. Ultimately, it became clear that the numbers were not going our way and that the time had come to step aside and ensure that the next Congressman be seated as quickly as possible.”

As for Friday, Murphy led Tedisco by 399 votes out of the more than 150,000 votes cast.

The Note calls Murphy’s victory a “tough loss” to the Republican Party which is, I believe, deadwrong. The GOP had nothing to lose in this election, Democrats did, however, especially considering President Obama’s active lobbying on Murphy’s behalf.| MORE ›

The Hill:

Republican Jim Tedisco has cut Democrat Scott Murphy’s lead slightly, to 35, in the special election for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) former House seat, as absentee votes continue to be counted.

Murphy took the lead Friday morning after more than 1,400 of 6,700 absentee ballots were counted and added to the totals.| MORE ›

Tedisco resigns. It this a sign of confidence or did he have no choice?

In what can be interpreted as a sign of great confidence, Jim Tedisco has announced his resignation as minority leader of the New York State Assembly. The announcement came shortly after Tedisco said he would stay in office until the election results were officially announced.| MORE ›