Republican Matt Doheny isn't at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., this week, but that doesn't mean he's going unacknowledged.

In a speech to New York delegates today, House Speaker John Boehner mentioned Mr. Doheny's Nov. 6 race against Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, as a key race in maintaining the Republican majority in the lower chamber, reports Nancy Martin, the GOP chairwoman in St. Lawrence County.

"At this morning's breakfast, hosted by Puerto Rico, Speaker of the House, John Boehner surprised us with a visit — among other things, he mentioned our 21st CD race!" Ms. Martin wrote in an email to fellow Republicans and to me. Mr. Boehner didn't refer to Mr. Doheny by name; he talked about the race in the north country, Ms. Martin said.

Ms. Martin said later in a phone call: "We must send Matt Doheny and Wendy Long to Washington,"

Ms. Long, a Manhattan attorney, is running for Senate against U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat.

The intrepid folks over at CapCon also noted Mr. Boehner's shout-out. Mr. Boehner called it a seat that the Republicans can win, CapCon says.

Ms. Martin mentioned some transportation issues last night, but said given the daunting logistics, it's been a well organized event by the city of Tampa.

UPDATE:

I posted a picture of Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, sitting with Ms. Martin. They appeared as B-roll on C-SPAN's coverage of the event.

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