New York Assemblyman Jim Tedisco took his share of the blame for the GOP loss in the 20th District’s special election last spring. But as he begins to lay the groundwork for a possible 2010 rematch, his shortcomings as a candidate seem to have been forgotten.

Tedisco told the Glen Falls Post-Star Thursday that he has been meeting with Republican Party county chairmen to discuss a possible challenge to Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy, a political unknown who came from well behind in the polls to edge Tedisco, a 30-year Assembly veteran, by barely 700 votes out of more than 160,000 cast. The March 31 special election was held to fill the seat previously held by Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to the Senate in January after Hillary Rodham Clinton became secretary of State.

“I enjoy being a public servant and I’m looking at the atmosphere now,” Tedisco told the paper. “And it certainly has changed since when I ran for congressman in the short eight-week election.”

One national Republican aide, who declined to be identified so as to speak candidly, said the party is supportive of a possible Tedisco candidacy in 2010. But he noted that other Republicans could also run for the seat, which represents much of the Hudson River valley and the Catskill Mountains. Former Assembly Leader John Faso, who lost the 2006 governor’s race to Democrat Eliot Spitzer by a landslide, is a potential candidate, though he has also expressed interest in running for state comptroller in 2010.