Republican Concedes N.Y. House Race

The Republican challenger on Wednesday conceded to Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop in a congressional race in eastern Long Island, the nation's only undecided House contest.

Randy Altschuler decided against forcing a hand recount in the 1st Congressional District, spokesman Rob Ryan said. Bishop last had a 263-vote lead with 977 absentee ballots left to be counted out of the more than 194,000 votes cast.

"After consulting with my family and campaign staff, I am ending my campaign and offering congratulations to Congressman Tim Bishop on his victory," Altschuler said.

He said that despite support for a hand recount, "I will not support such an action as I feel its cost will place an unnecessary burden on the taxpayers of Suffolk County."

Bishop, who was first elected in 2002, told reporters on a conference call that he was grateful to "withstand a Category 5 storm against incumbents." But he acknowledged he would have less influence in Congress going forward as a member of the minority party.

Republicans swept to a majority in the House on Nov. 2, picking up a total of 63 House seats, including six in New York.