1st C.D.: The latest numbers in Bishop-Altschuler

Jon Schneider, the spokesman for Rep. Tim Bishop who every day tells us that there is no advantage to him to spin the absentee ballot count numbers, writes to say that Bishop (D-Southampton) is now 111 votes ahead of Republican Randy Altschuler in the absentee ballot count. Altschuler's lead, Schneider said, is now 272 votes. 

The absentee count is now complete in Smithtown, where Altschuler is strong, and Southampton, Bishop's home base.

"The fact that we have picked up this many votes in just two towns, including a Republican stronghold, is an extremely encouraging sign," Schneider said. "The momentum is clearly on Tim Bishop's side and we are confident we will win this election."

Altschuler spokesman Rob Ryan responded: “The fact of the matter is Randy Altschuler is still ahead and we expect him to be the next Congressman. The Bishop campaign has cynically challenged the ballot of active duty military personnel as well as over a dozen individuals who were working for the Suffolk County Board of Elections on Election Day. Congressman Bishop and his supporters are attempting to disenfranchise individuals who have a legal right to vote. They are desperate to steal this election and are proving that every day.”

The next towns to be counted will be Southold and East Hampton.