PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
Just before midnight Congressman Bill Owens shared the good news in his hometown of Plattsburgh.
"His conversation was rather brief, he said Bill, congratulations you won another one, take care, I said thank you and that was the end of the conversation," said Owens referring to a phone call he just received from Matt Doheny.
In a rematch from 2010, Owens defeated his Republican challenger. And this time in more commanding fashion, getting 50% of the vote and doubling the difference from two years ago.
"It wasn't for the lack of effort, i worked 7 days a week, 16 or 17 hours a day," said Doheny.
While the candidates may have been the same, the district was not. Due to redistricting, 40% was new ground. And many thought the new territory favored Doheny - because it added tens of thousands of Republicans.
"If you look at the results today I don't know how republican this congressional district is anymore," said Doheny.
Congressman Owens has a more than 4,000 vote lead on Doheny, but there are still close to 20,000 absentee ballots that need to be counted. However Mr. Owens thinks his victory will stand.
"I want to emphasize it is my understaidng from people who have done this a few more times than I have, typically the absentee ballots tend to follow those cast on election day," he said.
Congressman Owens says he is looking forward to getting back to work next week, his main focuses, passing a farm bill, job creation and more bi-partisan discussions.
Click here for the latest results.
