Democrats pick Murphy
Feb. 2, 2001

CATSKILL - Nearly one week after Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand took her oath of office, the State Democratic Committee chose a venture capitalist — known for his ability to build businesses and create jobs — as their candidate to fill her vacated congressional seat Sunday afternoon.

Democrat Scott Murphy, managing director for Advantage Capital Partners, will face State Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco (R-Schenectady) in a special election for the 20th Congressional District seat.

“I am excited and honored to be selected to follow in the footsteps of the extraordinary Sen. Gillibrand as the Democrat nominee, and I look forward to discussing my ideas and getting out to meet voters as soon as possible,” Murphy said in a statement.

Murphy was elected unanimously by party leaders in each of the ten counties within the district. The district stretches from Essex County, south to Dutchess County and west to Otsego County.

Murphy, who serves as the President of Upstate Venture Association of New York, said his work building companies and creating jobs has given him the right skills and experience to be a good congressman. He was the chief executive officer of Small World Software, which provided fantasy sports games, and worked for Roger Wilson, former governor of Missouri.

Murphy visited party leaders in Columbia and Greene counties last week and he plans on returning to the area once his campaign begins, he said.

He said the manner in which candidates were interviewed — and ultimately voted upon — showed that the party was unified and has the determination to hold onto the seat.

Sue Montgomery Corey, Essex County Democratic Committee chairwoman, said that Murphy’s experience working with businesses to create jobs will appeal to voters.

“We have a great candidate we are all 100 percent behind,” she said.

She said that over the last week she and the other county party leaders had the chance to meet 30 individuals from around the district who were interested in the seat. She said the party leadership did not make their choice until everyone who wanted to run made their intentions clear.

“We wanted to be as inclusive as we could,” she said.

Last week, the list of interested Democrats was narrowed down to six contenders for the nod. State Assemblyman Tim Gordon (I, D -Delmar), Ron Kim, commissioner of Public Safety for the city of Saratoga Springs, Carol Schrager, former editor of the Women’s Law Journal and attorney from Hunter, and Murphy all met with party leaders Sunday. Two possible candidates, Suzy Ballentine, director of Governmental Affairs for the New York State AFL-CIO, and Tracy Egan, veteran television news reporter and anchor, withdrew their names from consideration Saturday.

Larry Bulman, chairman of the Saratoga Democratic Committee, said he felt Murphy would be able to raise the money needed for a successful campaign.

Greene County Democratic Committee Chairman Thomas Poelker said that a number of the candidates interested in the seat would do well in office, and that the parties future looked promising.

He said that although Republicans have represented the area in the past, Gillibrand’s election in 2006 and re-election last fall proved that a Democratic candidate could win the seat.

“Democrats are alive and well in Greene County,” he said.