GOP's newly created Senate seat gets challenge

New York Senate Democrats are quietly pinning their hopes on an underdog campaign in a new legislative district drawn by Republicans specifically to protect their Senate majority. WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports.

For Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk the task is daunting against George Amedore a veteran assemblyman. He had been considered a sure thing under the Republicans' redistricting plan. The Senate's 63rd seat carefully snakes from Montgomery County to Ulster County.

Yet, the race has drawn little attention since Amedore announced his bid in the spring and Democrats see support in Ulster County, which accounts for about a third of the district's voters. The battleground also has more Democratic voters and the party says they may pull off an Election Day upset.

Republicans are confident they'll prevail in November.

© 2012 Associated Press