News Blog

The first poll in the 25th Congressional race is out, putting Democratic incumbent Louise Slaughter ahead of her Republican challenger Maggie Brooks by 10 points, 52 percent to 42 percent. The Siena Research Institute released the poll results this afternoon.

Likely voters say Slaughter is better on health care, education, and war, the poll says. Slaughter has a big lead in Rochester, while Brooks leads in Western Monroe County.

Both candidates are well-known and well-liked, and everyone expects this race to be close. Brooks has been running on her record as Monroe County executive, while trying to cast Slaughter as a tax-and-spend Washington insider. The Slaughter team has attacked Brooks for the many scandals that have occurred during her three terms leading the county. Some people are dubious of Slaughter's strategy, however, given that previous election results prove that voters don't blame Brooks for the problems with county government.