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
New York's 27th congressional district
Nominee Chris Jacobs Nate McMurray Party Republican Democratic Alliance Independence Working Families Popular vote 81,085 72,998 Percentage 51.8% 46.6%
U.S. Representative before election Chris Collins Republican Elected U.S. Representative Chris Jacobs Republican

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]

Endorsee

• Chris Jacobs, state senator for New York's 60th State Senate district[10]

Withdrawn

• Rob Ortt, state senator for New York's 62nd State Senate district[11]
• Frank C. Smierciak II, health care firm employee[12] (running for New York State Assembly instead)

Declined to run

• David Bellavia, U.S. Army veteran and Medal of Honor recipient[13]
• Steve Hawley, state assemblyman for New York's 139th State Assembly district[14]

Endorsements

Chris Jacobs

Executive Officials

• Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States[15]

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

• Kathy Hochul, Lieutenant Governor of New York and former U.S. Representative for New York's 26th congressional district (2011–2013)[18]

Endorsee

• Duane Whitmer, Erie County Libertarian Party chairman[19][9]

Endorsee

• Mike Gamms, Comedian and Activist[20][21][22]

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	74,944	47.85%	+7.65%
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	6,141	3.92%	+3.22%
	Total	Chris Jacobs	81,085	51.77%	+2.67%
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	68,684	43.85%	-1.15%
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	4,314	2.75%	-0.05%
	Total	Nathan McMurray	72,998	46.60%	-2.20%
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	1,500	0.96%	N/A
	Green	Michael Gammariello	1,045	0.67%	N/A
Total votes			156,628	100.0%	N/A

Subtotal Results

Part of Erie County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	34,489	45.67
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	3,421	4.53
	Total	Chris Jacobs	37,910	50.20
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	34,404	45.56
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	2,088	2.76
	Total	Nathan McMurray	36,492	48.32
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	630	0.83
	Green	Michael Gammariello	488	0.65
Total votes			75,520	100

Genesee County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	5,784
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	344
	Total	Chris Jacobs	6,128
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	3,600
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	249
	Total	Nathan McMurray	3,849
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	159
	Green	Michael Gammariello	71
Total votes			10,207	100

Livingston County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	5,157
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	374
	Total	Chris Jacobs	5,531
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	4,529
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	348
	Total	Nathan McMurray	4,877
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	133
	Green	Michael Gammariello	69
Total votes			10,610	100

Part of Monroe County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	2,134
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	126
	Total	Chris Jacobs	2,260
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	2,596
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	132
	Total	Nathan McMurray	2,728
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	54
	Green	Michael Gammariello	27
Total votes			5,069	100

Part of Niagara County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	13,230
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	909
	Total	Chris Jacobs	14,139
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	11,482
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	644
	Total	Nathan McMurray	12,126
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	228
	Green	Michael Gammariello	172
Total votes			26,665	100

Part of Ontario County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	5,684
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	280
	Total	Chris Jacobs	5,964
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	7,743
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	318
	Total	Nathan McMurray	8,061
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	130
	Green	Michael Gammariello	105
Total votes			14,260	100

Orleans County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	3,929
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	162
	Total	Chris Jacobs	4,091
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	2,004
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	130
	Total	Nathan McMurray	2,134
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	73
	Green	Michael Gammariello	38
Total votes			6,336	100

Wyoming County Subtotal

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Jacobs	4,537
	Independence	Chris Jacobs	525
	Total	Chris Jacobs	5,062
	Democratic	Nathan McMurray	2,326
	Working Families	Nathan McMurray	405
	Total	Nathan McMurray	2,731
	Libertarian	Duane Whitmer	93
	Green	Michael Gammariello	75
Total votes			7,961	100

See also

• 2020 New York state elections

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. "June 23, 2020 Special Election NY-27 Certified Results" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 9, 2020.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Chris Jacobs (R) for Congress
• Nate McMurray (D) for Congress
• Duane Whitmer (L) for Congress