Some news, notes and observations following a congressional election that was indeed “special”:

• Congratulatory statements began pouring into The Buffalo News Tuesday night just after the Associated Press declared Democrat Kathy Hochul the winner of the big special election in NY26. Sen. Chuck Schumer weighed in, as did Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. Even the president of the United States offered congratulations, while Vice President Biden called Hochul to welcome her to Washington.

But curiously silent on Tuesday was Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who aside from a video seen by only a few, stayed arm’s length away from a New York election that commanded national attention.

Indeed, a group of Hochul campaign insiders was convinced the popular governor would stump the district in the final days of the contest.

Granted, Cuomo dispatched Lt.Gov. Bob Duffy to the crucial battleground of Greece on Election Eve. But the personal assistance from the governor of New York that Hochul insiders truly anticipated did not materialize, even as the governor of New Jersey — Chris Christie — was placing automated phone calls for Republican Jane Corwin.

It could be just the way the new governor conducts his politics — above the fray. Or it could be that top Dems never wanted Hochul to run for Congress in the first place, preferring she focus in November on Republican County Executive Chris Collins, considered a certified thorn in their side.

And it could be that no plans were ever made for Cuomo to campaign for Hochul.

But those same Hochul insiders would be hard-pressed to agree with one other Election Night proclamation by state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, who issued congratulations to “Gov. Cuomo, who directed a full-out effort to win this seat.”

• Republicans are recovering this weekend after watching the disintegration of a “sure-thing” Corwin candidacy. Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy has come under some scrutiny for his part in the debacle, but nobody is saying he will be replaced.

After some successes, Langworthy has taken hits. While he brilliantly assisted with Carl Paladino’s gubernatorial primary triumph last year, he could only watch as King Carl imploded, and he was outflanked by Pat Gallivan in a State Senate primary.

“He should be looking over his shoulder,” said one top Republican. “He needs to start winning something.”

He will be put to the test again in November as he joins the Collins re-election effort.

• Sources in Republican Land say Corwin campaign consultant Michael Hook, architect of the 2007 Collins victory, is assuming full responsibility for the loss. That may be because the “Ryan budget” and its plan to convert Medicare into a government-subsidized private insurance plan for those now under 55 was never an issue at the campaign’s kickoff.

But even Corwin on the day before election acknowledged she should have reacted more quickly to the issue. The bet here is that despite the loss, Collins’ strong loyalty to the Lancaster native will persevere into the fall campaign for county executive.

• Department of Political Irony: Hochul’s decision to run for Congress eliminated Collins’ worst nightmare when she opted not to challenge him for county executive. Now her congressional victory against Collins’ hand-picked candidate raises questions about his vulnerability.

•Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan — long-time archenemies — actually appeared on the same podium at the Hochul victory celebration. With that, the new congresswoman may have pulled off an even more stunning political feat than her underdog victory.

rmccarthy@buffnews.comnull