Democrats scored a huge political victory last night – taking New York’s 26th district – adding another Democratic seat to the House of Representatives. The seat was previously held by Republican Chris Lee until he was busted taking topless photos of himself to solicit women on craigslist. Despite the fact that only three Democrats have ever held the seat since 1857 – and Republicans led by Karl Rove and the Chamber of Commerce dumped millions into the race, outspending the Democrat by somewhere between 2:1 and 4:1 – Democrat Kathy Hochul STILL prevailed – taking 48% of the vote to Republican Jane Corwin’s 42% of the vote.

There was a third-party candidate – Jack Davis – but he only took 8% of the vote. The Democrats successfully turned this election into a referendum on the Republicans’ plans to end Medicare – and as we see today – the American people aren’t putting up with that right-wing radical agenda. As Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – Steve Israel said - “Today, the Republican plan to end Medicare cost Republicans $3.4 million and a seat in Congress. And this is only the first seat.”

He’s right - if the Democrats can stay on message.