Buerkle v Maffei

On my local side of the election, the Republican candidate for the 25th Congressional District, Anna Marie Buerkle, is slightly ahead (500 votes) of Democratic incumbent Daniel Maffei. Our polls closed at 9 PM so returns are limited.

A little bio on Ms. Buerkle who is endorsed by the Tea Party:

Buerkle is running as a fiscal conservative, arguing that the federal government "should have a limited role in our life." She wants lower taxes and reduced regulations for the private sector and to get "the government out of the role of creating jobs."

After losing an election for an at-large seat on the Syracuse Common Council, she was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1994. She became an assistant New York state attorney general in 1997, representing the state on behalf of Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

She's hoping an endorsement from Sarah Palin will bring in much-needed contributions and an Independence Party endorsement will draw votes.

Buerkle has not ruled out backing a proposal to privatize Social Security, and said she'll push to repeal the March 2010 health care overhaul. She wants competition across state lines for medical insurance to keep a lid on costs.

Maffei worked as a senior staffer for Rep. Charlie Rangel for seven years before winning the 25th seat when long time Republican Jim Walsh retired from Congress. He has been in office for only two years. Perhaps it will be only two years. His accomplishments?

Maffei is emphasizing pocketbook issues as voters' main concern and avoiding references to the health care reform, which he backed. He has proposed legislation to provide incentives to companies to keep jobs in the United States.

Maffei voted in favor of the 2009 $862 billion economic stimulus bill.

He has chosen to stay silent on President Barack Obama's statements regarding Muslims' right to build a mosque near ground zero.

Maffei speaks with pride about his role in bringing jobs to the 25th District. In July, he secured an $8.5 million grant for a new bus depot in Syracuse.

It sounds more like Danny was ducking and dodging rather than campaigning. I know he restricted his town hall meetings to "invitation only" in order to avoid screaming mad voters. But thanks a million 'cause, hey, that new bus thingie will really rock. And unfortunately it looks like Rangle will have no problem getting re-elected.

UPDATE:
It is now 11:05 PM, so an hour later her lead grew by almost 3,000.

UPDATE:
11:45 - Rats! - Buerkle is now down by 5,000 votes, 90,000 to 85,000.

UPDATE:
12:14 AM - she's down by 3,7oo now.

UPDATE:
7:45 PM - she's down by 2,300 and the absentee ballots are still being counted. She still has a good chance to win as these ballots tend to favor Republicans.