Massa will resign facing ethics inquiry

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - While New York's embattled Governor David Paterson hangs on, southern tier Congressman Eric Massa will not. The freshman Democrat is resigning amid claims of sexual harassment from a male staffer.

Citing his battle with cancer and a potential House Ethics investigation, Congressman Eric Massa says he will resign Monday. A male staffer claims the 50-year-old Democrat sexually harassed him. Massa admits to using inappropriate language but doesn't get anymore specific, saying, "My difficulties are of my own making. Period. I am also aware that blogs and radio will have a field day with this in today's destructive and unforgiving political environment."

Where does it leave Congress?

Canisius College Political Science Professor Dr. Michael Haselswerdt said, "It'll be one less "Yes" vote for let's say, healthcare."

Dr. Haselswerdt says the Governor will most likely call a special election, that probably would take place around mid-April. This district stretches from Massa's hometown of Corning and stretches all the way to include Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties.

"Well, I think that district will go back to being a Republican District. It was a Republican district before," said Dr. Haselswerdt.

In fact, the last Republican to hold the seat, Randy Kuhl, is considering running again. This comes at the same time Governor Paterson is fighting for his political life and another New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel was forced to give up his ways and means chairmanship over an ethics violation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had no comment on the Massa situation.

"You know what? This is Rumor City. Every single day there are rumors. I have a job to do," said Pelosi.

Dr. Haselswerdt said, "One of the strategies used to be that when something went bad, you'd disappear for awhile, and there's just no way to disappear now. Advances in technology have made it much more difficult."