NY-25: Poll shows Maffei is coming on strong

Via RochesterTurning...There's a new poll in the NY-25 race. It shows Republican incumbent Jim Walsh at 44% and Democratic challenger Dan Maffei at 40%.  That's very good for Maffei, who only has 37% name recognition, according to the poll (Walsh had 87% name recognition in the poll -- everyone in the Syracuse area must know who he is, because my impression is that most people in Irondequoit and Pennfield still think Louise Slaughter is their rep).

The poll is an internal poll run by the Maffei campaign, so of course take it with a grain of salt.  It was done by the Benson strategy group, which is a very respected liberal polling group, though, so it definitely means something.  It looks like we've got a race on our hands in NY-25, something I would not have predicted a month ago.

Walsh Watch has more.

•  This is certainly excellent news...

  which I diaried earlier today. But it's good to keep it on the recent diary list, since there's clearly not enough interest in NY-25 to bump it up to Recommended.

  by redlami on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 05:05:18 PM PDT

•  If Walsh fails to release

  His own poll in response, then this poll is legit. And I'll bet he won't - GOPers have released almost no internal polls of their own this year.

  by DavidNYC on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 05:05:22 PM PDT

•  Great news. Hopefully

  upstate NY will go back to the Dems (with Maffei and Massa victories)

  by nequals1 on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 05:14:49 PM PDT

•  Here's a Guy in Webster Who Knows About Maffei

  I spent 12 hours pounding the street to get nominating petitions signed for him in June and July. And tonight, for the first time ever, I made my first political contribution to Maffei--$100 (wish it were form more).

  Go Dan and Eric.  We need the House and the Senate.

  This vile Repubican administration and its rubber stamp Congress must topple.

  by Mad 60 on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 06:27:58 PM PDT

  •  good for you

    by Pogues Fan on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 10:32:14 PM PDT

•  GREAT NEWS !

  I like Dan Maffei, he seems like a real person, and a fine candidate, to me. I'd be delighted if he can topple Walsh...........why a district both Kerry and Gore carried remains represented by Maffei, beats me all ends up.

  by Bhishma on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 07:25:51 PM PDT