Massa declared winner in congressional race with Kuhl

By Phillip Lucas
News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - A hotly contested race for New York's 29th District Congressional seat ended Friday with Rep. Eric "Randy" Kuhl calling Congressman-Elect Eric Massa to concede after ballots were impounded by a state supreme court justice earlier this month and some were counted under court supervision.

Minutes before a press teleconference, Massa said Kuhl called to pledge himself and his staff to working toward a seamless transition in welcoming the freshman representative to Congress.

The 29th district includes Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

"I'd like to thank him for his many years of public service at the local state and federal levels," Massa said of Kuhl. "His has been a long and honorable stewardship of public offices," he said adding that his own staff will also work "hand in glove" with Kuhl's in making the transition as smooth as possible.

After the final absentee ballots were counted, Massa claims his margin of victory was more than 5,000 votes.

Massa said the the campaign has never been about him.

"It's always been about stewardship of a very important office and that office's value is what can be done to improve the lives of the citizens in this district, the economy and the national security of this great country."

Kuhl was not available for comment.