First-time officeholder New York Democrat Bill Owens entered Congress after winning a special election in November 2009 when his predecessor, Republican John McHugh, was appointed Secretary of the Army. The 65-year old Owens was the first Democrat to represent the 16,000-square mile district since the Civil War era. Last January, he announced he would retire from his seat. In this first part of a two-part series, WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley talks with Owens about his House experience and future plans.
Owens attended his last formal House session on December 11th and expects his official Congressional career representing the 21st district to end in January.
In the second portion of our conversation, retiring Congressman Bill Owens will discuss what it’s been like to work in the House of Representatives.
