New York's 26th Congressional District was close in 2006.  Trade was a major issue in the campaign.  Incumbent Tom Reynolds (R) narrowly beat self-funded manufacturing plant owner Jack Davis (D).  Reynolds is retiring, as I wrote here.  Davis is running again, committing more funds than last time to the campaign.  Jon Powers is challenging him for the Dem nomination in the District.  Powers is a war veteran and has institutional Dem, union and liberal blogger support.

Robert Novak:

New York-26: Rep. Tom Reynolds (R), perhaps facing electoral defeat, will retire this year after an ignominious stint as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Fittingly, he looks to be leaving his district to the Democrats.

Reynolds' district in Western New York voted for Bush in 2004, but Reynolds barely held on in 2006 after revelations about his handling of the Mark Foley scandal.

Democrats have two strong potential candidates: wealthy businessman and two-time candidate Jack Davis, and Iraq War veteran Jon Powers, who was already engaged in a challenge to Reynolds. Davis could fund his own race, and Powers has backing among liberal bloggers who showed real success raising funds in 2006.

Republicans failed to get their top candidate, State Sen. George Maziarz. State Assemblyman Jim Hayes is currently the leading Republican. Republicans have an enrollment edge here, but the sagging economy and the Democratic cash advantage tilt this one towards the Democrats. Leaning Democratic Takeover.

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