Steele's First Test: NY 20th

Dwayne Horner | February 17, 2009 4:55 PM

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/imgLib/20080613_steele.jpg

New York state Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is getting help from the Republican National Committee in his race to New York's 20th Congressional District, the first test for new RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Chris Cillizza writes at The Washington Post:

"A win in New York's 20th would almost certainly enliven -- to a certain extent -- the Republican activist and donors bases, an absolute necessity for the GOP to run competitive 2009 races in Virginia and New Jersey and to reclaim some of their losses in the House and Senate in 2010 and, especially, 2012."

"The Republican Party will no longer ignore the Northeast," pledged Steele. "Our conservative principles are applicable to every county and corner of this country."

It's good to see Chairman Steele fighting in the Northeast. The 20th is the seat that was vacated when Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) was chosen by Gov. David Paterson (D) to Hillary Clinton's replace in the Senate.