King: N.Y. Republicans may gain, thanks to Paterson

Republicans may gain a seat in the New York congressional delegation, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) suggested Friday.

Due to the unpopularity of N.Y. Gov. David Paterson (D) dragging down state Democrats, King told the New York Observer that the state GOP may unexpectedly gain a seat after the 2010 Census reapportionment.

“Republicans feel better,” King said, adding that he hopes Paterson seeks reelection. The governor may face a primary challenge from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

But King cautioned: “I don’t think Andrew is going to push him out, at least not publicly.”

King has made no secret of his own political ambitions, publicly mulling a challenge to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) or some other Democrat in the 2010 Senate election.