Jimmy Vielkind reports:
With one week until election day,Chris Gibson has surged to a nine-point lead over Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, in their race to represent the 10-county 20th Congressional District. Gibson currently leads 51 percent to 42 percent, the survey finds. A poll released by Siena College showed Gibson, the Republican candidate and a retired Army colonel from Kinderhook, advancing from being unknown and trailing Murphy in previous polls to sliding ahead. This rise has been especially pronounced among Republicans and independents since Siena's previous survey of likely voters in the district, in September.
NY-20 is Kirsten Gillibrand's old seat that Republican Jim Tedisco narrowly lost following a recount in the spring of 2009. Murphy is one of the Democrats who voted against Obamacare in November 2009 and then for final passage in March 2010. Republican Chris Gibson rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army and served four combat tours in Iraq. (Hat tip: DrewM.)
Also, Jim Geraghty notes: "I believe for the first time, a poll has found Republican Morgan Griffith leading 15-term incumbent Democrat Rick Boucher in Virginia’s ninth district."
The SurveyUSA poll shows the Griffith up just 1 point--47% to 46%--over Boucher. The Democratic congressman was wounded by his vote for cap and trade but his opposition to Obamacare has undoubtedly helped keep him alive.