Democrat Wins Special Election for New York Congressional Seat

Democrat Scott Murphy has claimed victory in an upstate New York congressional race more than three weeks after a special election to decide who would replace former Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Republican Jim Tedisco called Murphy to concede Friday afternoon, FOX News has learned. Murphy won by just 399 votes, according to the New York Board of Elections.

Although there still are a number of disputed ballots, Tedisco's campaign is expected to withdraw its objections. The two competitors at one point were tied as voting officials checked the results and tallied absentee ballots early this month.

The election in the 20th Congressional District was held to fill the vacancy left by Kirsten Gillibrand, who was chosen by the New York governor to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

The race was a squeaker. But Democrats held it up as affirmation of the public's support for President Obama's economic policies.

"The outcome of last month's special election in New York's 20th Congressional District is further proof that the public supports President Obama, his agenda and the jobs and economic recovery plan he passed to help right the economy and the overall direction he is leading the country," the Democratic National Committee said Friday in a memo.

Republicans claimed their candidate ran against the odds, since Obama carried the district in November.