Southern (Tier) Cooking

A Dem source confirms to HRH that Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY 29) won't run for re-election because of health reasons, leaving a big problem for Dems in his Southern Tier CD.

-- Indeed, Massa was never the most disciplined candidate, but he worked the CD hard and managed to avoid a top-tier challenger. He was still going to face a fight against Corning Mayor Tom Reed (R), but Reed wasn't a prolific fundraiser and would not have been able to match Massa dollar-for-dollar. It was going to be a tough race for Massa in this Cook PVI-rated R+5 CD, but he started with the edge.

-- As an open seat, this is a very enticing pickup opportunity for GOPers. And while Reed was lucky enough to avoid a primary challenge, that luck may have run out with news of the open seat. Several GOP legislators are potential candidates, but Monroe Co. Exec. Maggie Brooks (R) may be the biggest get, should she decide to jump in the race. Monroe Co. makes up a small percentage of the CD, but Brooks is a popular figure in the region.

-- For Dems, the bench is not very deep, but sources name Hornell Mayor/Steuben Co. Dem Chair Shawn Hogan (D) as a potential challenger. Still, in this enviro and in this CD, he'd face an uphill battle.