Democrats claim special election

Democrats are crowing this afternoon after the Republican conceded the tightly-contested congressional race in a traditionally GOP district in upstate New York.

Democrat Scott Murphy, who prevailed over Republican Jim Tedisco, will fill the seat that Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand vacated when she replaced Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate.

Democrats say the special election was a referendum on President Obama's economic agenda.

"Scott Murphy's long-awaited victory is proof positive that Americans, even in this heavily Republican district, support the President and want him to succeed and the result is a repudiation of the failed policies of the past touted by Republicans," Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine said in a statement.

"Republicans decided to make this race a referendum on President Obama's leadership of the economy and his jobs and economic recovery plan - and given the result we are thankful that they did. Scott Murphy embraced President Obama's approach to the economy and his message of change while his opponent embraced the politics of division and the failed economic policies that got our country into the mess we find ourselves in today. While the Republican Party and its candidates appear to have learned nothing from recent elections and the nation's obvious desire for change, I commend the voters in New York 20 for supporting Scott and giving the President another strong ally for change as the Obama Administration moves forward with its plans to reform healthcare, invest in clean energy and improve education.”

Late this afternoon, Obama issued a statement through the White House congratulating Murphy.

"With this hard fought win, Scott has shown he is willing to fight the tough battles on behalf of the people in his district," the president said.

"As a candidate, Scott courageously championed the economic plans we need to lift our nation and put it on a better path, and he will continue to do so in Congress. With his proven record of creating high paying jobs and standing up for Upstate New York, Scott will bring to the nation’s capitol the change New Yorkers need."