Albany, NY --- Governor David Paterson does not plan to make a decision about how to fill the soon-to-be-vacant 29th District Congressional seat until next week. This comes from Morgan Hook, a spokesman for the Governor's Office.
Rep. Eric Massa announced Friday afternoon that he intends to resign his congressional seat effective Monday, March 8th at 5 p.m. Following that resignation the clerk of the House of Representatives takes over the vacant seat and Rep. Massa's Chief of Staff (Joseph Racalto) serves as the Office Administrator.
Filling the vacant seat is now up to a decision by Governor David Paterson. The Governor can leave the seat vacant of an elected representative until January 2011 at which time the winner of a November General Election is sworn into office. Or, more than likely, Gov. Paterson will schedule a Special Election.
A proclamation declaring a Special Election must be signed by mid-April and once signed that Special Election must take place within 30 to 40 days.
