John McHugh, second from left, stands behind President Obama at signing of Weapons Systems Acquisitions Reform Act last month. (Getty)

The news of Rep. John McHugh’s nomination as Secretary of the Army by President Barack Obama Tuesday afternoon has set off a succession scramble in upstate New York, giving Democrats an opportunity to pick-off yet another Republican seat in the Northeast.

McHugh’s departure will necessitate a special election much like the one conducted this past winter in New York’s 20th District. Democrats eked out a hard fought win there, and think they can do the same again.  

The sprawling 23rd district, which stretches along much of the state’s Northern border, has a Republican registration advantage but like the rest of the region is becoming increasingly tenuous territory for the GOP. McHugh won a ninth term in November with 65 percent of the vote but Obama won 52 percent of district voters in the presidential race.