2020 New York's 27th congressional district special election

A special election was held to fill the remainder of the term in the United States House of Representatives for New York's 27th congressional district in the 116th United States Congress. Incumbent Republican Representative Chris Collins resigned from the House effective October 1, 2019 following his guilty plea to federal insider trading charges.[1] The election was originally scheduled for April 28, 2020, but was postponed until June 23, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

2020 New York's 27th congressional district special election
June 23, 2020
 
Nominee Chris Jacobs Nate McMurray
Party Republican Democratic
Alliance Independence Party of New York Working Families
Popular vote 81,036 72,787
Percentage 51.8% 46.5%
Representative before election

Chris Collins
Republican

 Elected Representative

Chris Jacobs
Republican

Elections in New York State

Candidates

Former Grand Island town supervisor and 2018 Democratic congressional nominee Nathan D. McMurray was expected to be the nominee after being endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Party.[3] Fellow Democrat Melodie Baker announced her interest in seeking the nomination, but quickly withdrew when her campaign failed to gain interest.[4] McMurray was formally nominated on February 13, 2020.[5]

On January 25, 2020, the Republican chairs of the eight counties that make up the 27th congressional district met in Wyoming County and voted to endorse state senator Chris Jacobs for the special election.[6]

On February 1, 2020, the Conservative Party of New York State announced that it would not endorse a candidate in the anticipated special election and would instead leave its party line blank. The Party's preferred candidate was Beth Parlato.[7]

Accountant Duane Whitmer was endorsed by the Libertarian Party.[8][9]

Republican Party

Endorsee

Withdrawn

Declined to run

Endorsements
Chris Jacobs
Executive Officials

Democratic Party

Endorsee
  • Nate McMurray, former Grand Island supervisor and nominee for New York's 27th congressional district in 2018[16][5]

Withdrawn
  • Melodie Baker, former director of education for the United Way of Buffalo and small business owner[17]

Declined to run

Libertarian Party

Endorsee

Green Party

Endorsee

Per a Facebook Messenger comment from Erie County Greens: "We did endorse him, but the endorsement was withdrawn after he made several posts on social media that many felt were problematic. He is still on the ballot as a Green because there is no way to remove him, but the State Party has stopped assisting/promoting his campaign."

General election

Debate

McMurray and Jacobs participated in a debate on June 9, in which McMurray criticized Jacobs for not standing up to Trump's actions, in particular, Trump's claim that a 75-year old man injured by police in Buffalo could be an "ANTIFA provocateur". McMurray also accused Jacobs of trying to buy the position, lying, and not supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He emphasized his continued positive impact on communities in the area, positioning himself as an alternative to former Republican representatives Chris Collins and Chris Lee, both of whom resigned due to scandals. Jacobs criticized McMurray for supporting big government and abortion, which he saw as a poor fit for the conservative values of the district.[23]

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[24] Safe R April 24, 2020
Inside Elections[25] Safe R April 23, 2020
Sabato's Crystal Ball[26] Likely R April 23, 2020
Politico[27] Likely R April 19, 2020

Results
2020 New York's 27th congressional district special election[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Chris Jacobs 81,036 51.8% +2.7%
Democratic Nathan McMurray 72,787 46.5% -2.3%
Libertarian Duane Whitmer 1,498 1.0% +1.0%
Green Michael Gammariello 1,043 0.7% +0.7%
Majority 8,249
Turnout 156,364 %

References
  1. Brown, Stephen Rex. "Upstate NY Rep. Chris Collins resigns seat as guilty plea looms in insider trading scam". nydailynews.com. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  2. Bowman, Bridget. "New York delays presidential primary, special election to June". Roll Call. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. "McMurray appears to wrap up Democratic nomination for NY-27". December 19, 2019.
  4. "Democrat Melodie Baker withdraws from NY-27 race; won't run for State Senate". December 20, 2019.
  5. "Democrats officially back candidate for NY27 Special Election". WKBW. February 14, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  6. "After marathon meeting, GOP chairs back Chris Jacobs for NY-27th seat". January 25, 2020.
  7. "Conservatives choose not to endorse special election candidate for vacant NY 27 seat". February 2, 2020.
  8. Rivers, Tom (January 28, 2020). "Libertarian candidate also in the running for NY-27". Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  9. Horvatits, Chris (February 17, 2020). "Whitmer nominated to appear on Libertarian line for 27th district special election". WIVB-TV. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  10. Mccarthy, Robert J. (January 25, 2020). "GOP chairs endorse Chris Jacobs for 27th District Congressional seat". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  11. Hoffman, Connor (August 17, 2019). "Ortt announces campaign for Congressional seat". Niagara Gazette.
  12. McCarthy, Robert J. (November 18, 2019). "For GOP candidates in NY-27, 'conservative' seems downright wishy-washy". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  13. Touhey, Ali (October 20, 2019). "Medal of Honor Recipient David Bellavia isn't running for Congress". WKBW - ABC Buffalo. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  14. Mccarthy, Robert J. (January 17, 2020). "Assemblyman Steve Hawley will not seek GOP nod in NY-27". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  15. Trump, Donald J. (February 18, 2020). "Chris Jacobs will be a great Congressman who will always fight for the people of New York. He supports our #MAGA Agenda, will continue to Secure Our Border, Loves our Military, Vets, and is Strong on the #2A. Chris has my Complete Endorsement for the Special Election on 4/28!". Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  16. Goshgarian, Mark (October 1, 2019). "McMurray: "Tidal Wave" of Support for Congressional Bid After Collins Resignation". Spectrum Local News. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  17. Radlich, Jane Kwiatkowski (December 20, 2019). "Democrat Melodie Baker withdraws from NY-27 race; won't run for State Senate". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  18. Mackie, Kyle (October 2, 2019). "Governor Cuomo: Hochul Could Win Collins' Congressional Seat". WSKG. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  19. Zremski, Jerry (July 16, 2019). "Chris Collins lends campaign $500,000, signaling a possible run". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  20. Zangas, John (February 24, 2020). "Antifascist Comedian Mike Gamms Gets New York Green Party Nod for NY27 Congressional Race". DCMediaGroup. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  21. "2020 Candidates". Green Party of New York. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  22. https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/Elections/2020/Special/WhoFiled_2020_AprSpecElec.pdf
  23. "Jacobs, McMurray spar in debate for NY-27, drawing clear differences | Orleans Hub". Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  24. Wasserman, David. "Collins Resignation Moves NY-27 to Solid Republican".
  25. Askarinam, Leah (August 26, 2019). "Wisconsin 7: Duffy's Seat Remains Solid Republican for Now | News & Analysis | Inside Elections". insideelections.com. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales.
  26. Kondik, Kyle (August 29, 2019). "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » Notes on the State of Politics". crystalball.centerforpolitics.org. Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball.
  27. "2020 Election Forecast". Politico. November 19, 2019.
  28. "New York Special Election Results: 27th Congressional District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
Official campaign websites
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