DEMOCRAT WINS NY-26TH - PROVING MEDISCARE AND A STALKING HORSE THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE ARE STILL LETHAL TO THE GOP

The rural-suburban district between Buffalo and Rochester is one of the state's most conservative. But Corwin saw her early lead dissolve after coming out in favor of a Republican budget plan that would cut billions from Medicare, the government health plan for seniors.

With 83 percent of precincts reporting, Hochul had 48 percent of the vote, compared with 42 percent for Corwin.

THE GOP HAS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING TO VOTERS THAT MEDICARE IS NOW ON AN UNSUSTAINABLE PATH AND MUST BE REFORMED OR IT WILL DISAPPEAR.

AND, THE GOP MUST KEEP A THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE OFF THE BALLOT.