DCCC: Owens vulnerable in 2014

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today released its list of vulnerable candidates in the 2014 election. North Country Congressman Bill Owens made the list.

Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh, has won three consecutive races by close margins. The DCCC wants to make sure he wins a fourth.

"We call this program Frontline for a reason – these Members are on the vanguard of protecting and expanding the middle class,” DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said in a press release. “While the 2014 campaign will be dominated by a strong offense taking on the Tea Party Republican Congress, our success begins with our Members. These battle-tested men and women have proven time and again that they can win because no one better reflects the values of their districts. Under the leadership of Representative Tim Walz, the Frontline Program will multiply Members’ strengths, and make sure they are positioned to compete and win – so they can continue to address the problems facing America’s middle class.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee was delighted with Owens' inclusion on the DCCC list. In an emailed statement, NRCC spokesman Ian Prior said that Owens' tight win last fall, coupled with an investigation into an ethically questionable trip to Taiwan that may have violated House rules, make him ripe for defeat in 2014.

“Bill Owens barely won his race in 2012 and that was before the Office of Congressional Ethics found that there was a reasonable probability that Owens had broken federal law and House rules," Prior said. "Clearly, national Democrats realize that Owens faces serious challenges for reelection and Republicans look forward to an aggressive pursuit of that seat in 2014.”

Owens' camp wasn't phased by the DCCC list.

“Congressman Owens is pleased with the bipartisan support he’s received from across the district," Owens' spokesman, Jon Boughtin, said in an email. "Right now he remains focused on traveling around the district, staying in touch with constituents and continuing his work with local leaders and businesses to promote economic development.”