With Congress on a week-long recess and the economic stimulus bill all but signed by the president, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is utilizing his brief free time by stepping out for a House special election candidate.

Venture capitalist Scott Murphy, running for the vacant seat in New York's 20th Congressional District, won the endorsement of fellow New York Democrats Schumer and Rep. Paul Tonko at a Clifton Park press conference yesterday. Murphy is facing Jim Tedisco, the State Assembly Republican leader, in a March 31 special election to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to the Senate.

The two candidates are basing their battle on who can create jobs, with Murphy touting his business experience and Tedisco his legislative experience.

The Saratogian reporting:

Schumer cited New York's alarming loss of jobs as a chief concern -- New York lost 103,000 jobs in January -- and identified Murphy's record of creating jobs and growing businesses as a key qualification in his congressional bid. He also said that developing small businesses is an important way to bolster the economy.

"Everywhere you go, you hear about this. It's putting a dagger in the heart of the middle class, and small businesses are the lynch pin," Schumer said.

"Scott Murphy knows this district because he knows small business, and he knows agriculture," Schumer said, pointing out that Murphy had created about 1,000 jobs during his work as a venture capitalist and has ties to agriculture through his wife's family, which owned a Washington County dairy farm.

Schumer isn't the only Democrat to show his face in the district on behalf of Murphy. Gillibrand stumped for Murphy on Saturday, and tonight House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is scheduled to join Murphy for a roundtable discussion in Poughkeepsie.