Source: Sweeney trying to influence GOP nomination

Former Congressman John Sweeney, whom Kirsten Gillibrand defeated in 2006, is now involved in the race to fill her vacant seat in the House of Representatives, a source told CBS 6 News.

Sweeney is backing Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco for the nomination, and Sweeney is pressuring county Republican committees to make a swift decision, the source said.

CBS 6 could not locate a working telephone number for Sweeney, and no one answered the door Monday night at his Clifton Park home.

Tedisco, reached by phone, said he has not received Sweeney's endorsement, but welcomes all the support he can muster.

A TIGHT RACE

In six of the ten counties that comprise the 20th congressional district, the Republican committee has endorsed a candidate. Columbia and Greene are backing former State Assemblyman John Faso; Essex, Warren, and Washington are behind State Senator Betty Little; and Saratoga is supporting Tedisco.

The GOP is using a formula based on the number of weighted votes Sandy Treadwell received in his failed bid to unseat Gillibrand in 2008. At 33%, Saratoga County -- and Tedisco -- loom large.

"If Jim were able to put Saratoga together with another larger county, he would probably have [the Republican nomination] in the bag," said Jack Casey, Chairman of the Rensselaer County Republican Committee.

Rensselaer is one of the four undecided counties, along with Delaware, Dutchess, and Otsego. The breakdown, as of Monday night, was:

Faso - 15.1% (Columbia - 7.6%, Greene - 7.5%)

Little - 18.8% (Essex - 2.4%, Warren - 9.4%, Washington - 7%)

Tedisco - 33% (Saratoga - 33%)

Undecided - 33% (Delaware - 6.6%, Dutchess - 15.2%, Otsego - 1.9%, Rensselaer - 9.3%)

Tedisco has the lead, but Faso might have the benefit of geographical influence. The Kinderhook native lives closer to Delaware, Dutchess, and Otsego Counties than do Little and Tedisco. However, Casey cautioned against emphasizing proximity.

"What we're trying [is to not do it] on a geographical basis," he said of Rensselaer County, "but more on a qualifications basis and an electability basis."

Electability depends largely on fundraising ability, he said.

The ten county Republican committee chairs are meeting in Albany at 11:00 Tuesday morning, though Casey said he does not expect they will vote on a final candidate.

Treadwell and former congressional candidates Mike Rocque and Richard Wager have also been mentioned as possibilities, though Casey said Treadwell does not appear to be interested.

DEMS SORT CROWDED FIELD

Unlike the Republicans, no clear frontrunners have emerged among the Democrats vying for Gillibrand's old seat.

More than 30 people have expressed interest, Warren County Democratic Committee Chairman William Montfort told CBS 6 News. The committee has set a Wednesday deadline for the receipt of resumes, with interviews slated for Saturday.

Those reportedly interested in the seat include former Michael McNulty counsel Kelly Keenan Aylward, Coxsackie Town Supervisor Alex Betke, former congressional candidate Tracey Brooks, Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chairman Larry Bulman, former WRGB and WTEN news anchor Tracy Egan, State Assemblyman Tim Gordon (a registered independent), Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim, Warren County businessman Scott Murphy, former New York Rangers hockey goalie Mike Richter, Greene County attorney Carol Schrager, Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner, and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors member Joanne Yespen.

It should be well noted that the above list is incomplete, and includes some people -- like Brooks and Gordon -- who have not announced their candidacy.

By contrast, former Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn has said she is not a candidate, and WNYT told CBS 6 that news anchor Benita Zahn is not running either. Both had been mentioned as possibilities.

Dutchess County Attorney Michael Pollock is reportedly running as an independent.