ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson still won't commit to a date for holding a special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Eric J.J. Massa, the Corning Democrat who blamed his troubles and exit on a Democratic conspiracy over his position on a

health care bill.

"We're going to call it as soon as possible," Paterson said when asked in a Capitol hallway

about a special contest for the 29th congressional district.

Has anyone asked him not to call a special?

"No," Paterson said.

It is up to Paterson when — or if — a special election will be called.

Will the seat be left vacant for the remainder of the year?

"I wouldn't think so," Paterson said.

A special election must be held 30 to 40 days after a special election is called for by the

governor.

Among Republicans vying for the Massa post is former Corning Mayor Thomas Reed, who is

gaining some momentum among local GOP leaders.

Massa resigned effective Monday, but not before leaving the White House and Democrats on

Capitol Hill dismissing his claims that there was an effort to target him for not getting on

board with the president's health care reform efforts.

Massa last week first said he was not running for re-election because of a "major cancer

recurrence scare."

But, it quickly came out that he was the target of a congressional ethics investigation for

possible harassment involving a male staffer.