PLATTSBURGH — The expected confirmation of John McHugh as the next secretary of the Army will open up his seat in the North Country's 23rd Congressional District.

Democrats are hopeful that they can finally nab the position, which hasn't been held by a Democrat since the days of the Civil War.

"Absolutely, we can win that seat," Clinton County Democratic Party Chairman Martin Mannix said.

"If Scott Murphy can win with a 78,000-vote disadvantage and Darrel Aubertine can win with a 30,000-vote disadvantage, we can win here."

Mannix was referring to the special election in March where Democrat Scott Murphy defeated Republican James Tedisco for the seat in the 20th Congressional District vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand, who was named a U.S. senator.

The 20th District is a heavily populated Republican district, as is the 48th Senate District in the New York State Senate, where Aubertine won in a 2007 special election as a Democrat.

The 23rd District that McHugh will be leaving is the largest geographically in the country east of the Mississippi River.

It covers parts of 11 counties and stretches from Lake Ontario in the west to Lake Champlain in the east.

McHugh, who is from Pierrepont Manor near Watertown, has won easily every time he's run since 1992.

Mannix said not having to run against an entrenched Republican incumbent will give Democrats a better chance.

"I expect a lot of interest from those who might want to run," Mannix said.

A special election most likely will be held in the fall to fill the final year of McHugh's term.

McHugh won his ninth term last November when he beat Democrat Michael Oot.

A regular election for the seat will be held in November 2010.

The district is expected to be reapportioned after the 2010 census, which could wind up drastically altering the geographical area.

James Ellis, Franklin County Republican Party chairman, said the party will find a strong candidate for a special election.

"We will handle this with all of the proper decorum, and it will be fair for everyone," Ellis said.

POSSIBLE CANDIDATES
One Republican interested in running is Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun of Tupper Lake.

Maroun, a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves, said it is important that whoever runs has some military experience.

"I am interested, and I have the experience," he said.

Republican Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava, who represents three counties in the congressional district — St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis — is also considered to be a possible candidate.

Republican Assemblyman William Barclay has also been mentioned, as has Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne, a Republican.

"I am clearly interested, but it is something that will be a family decision," Champagne said.

He is due to run for another term as district attorney this fall and has been endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties.

"We will talk about this quickly and weigh the pros and cons and go from there," Champagne said.

Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak, a strong Republican, did not rule out a run.

"It is much too early to make an important decision like that, but I am flattered that my name has been mentioned," he said.

"I am sure I will be talking to a lot of people about this, but it is premature to say anything right now."

Matthew Doheny, a Manhattan attorney who grew up in the district and still owns a home in Watertown, is also reported to be interested in running as a Republican.

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru), who also serves as the Clinton County Republican Party chair, said she is not interested in running herself but said the party will be ready.

"As things unfold, we will have lots to talk about, all of us."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com