Democrat Rep. Tim Bishop claimed victory in the 1st Congressional District Tuesday night after a bruising campaign rematch with Republican Randy Altschuler.

"This is a victory," Bishop told supporters shortly before midnight.

With 95 percent of the votes counted, Bishop, of Southampton, had 52 percent to Altschuler's 48 percent.
Altschuler conceded just after midnight.

"I'd like to congratulate Tim Bishop on his win tonight," Altschuler said.

Bishop, who was seeking his sixth term in the eastern Suffolk County district, had called the campaign his toughest. In 2010, he edged Altschuler by 593 votes out of about 202,000 ballots cast.

Altschuler, 41, who co-founded two businesses, spent and raised about $2 million, as did Bishop, 62, a former college...| read more ››