Democrat’s lead in N.Y. now at 47 votes

Democrat Scott Murphy now leads by 47 votes in the seesawing special election for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) former House seat.

Murphy expanded his lead to 56 votes after two friendly counties sent in additional absentee totals Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon, a few ballots trickled in that brought his margin down to 47.

{mosads}Murphy gained nine votes in Columbia County and 22 votes in Warren County, upping his lead from Monday, when it stood at 25 votes.

Republican Jim Tedisco then gained five votes in Delaware County and four votes in Otsego County.

There are still no absentee results from Tedisco’s biggest county — Saratoga — and only limited results from two big Murphy counties — Warren and Washington.

The addition of about 100 absentees to the overall total brings the number counted to close to 1,900 out of 6,700.

This story was updated at 4:50 p.m.