Eric Kleefeld March 4, 2010, 11:35 AM

The sudden retirement of Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) has created a clear weakness for Democrats, in holding on to a seat that was narrowly carried by John McCain in 2008. The first order of business: Finding a new Democratic candidate.

A Democratic source said that it is far too sudden and early to definitively name new Democratic candidates, but with that caveat some possible names are state Rep. Barbara Lifton, state Rep. David Koon, state Rep. Susan John, Canandaigua Mayor Ellen Polimeni, and Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan. The source acknowledged that this is a “tough district” for Democrats, but argued that it’s too early to assess the state of the race.

Massa’s district voted 50%-48% for John McCain in 2008, and before that it voted 56%-42% for George W. Bush in 2004. Massa first ran for the seat in 2006, against incumbent Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl, with Kuhl winning that first match by a 51%-49% margin. Massa ran again in 2008, winning the rematch by 51%-49% at the same time as McCain carried the district.

Corning Mayor Tom Reed was already in the race on the Republican side. Kuhl opened the door to a possible return yesterday. “I have received numerous calls and emails today regarding my political future and I truly appreciate all of those who believed in me and supported me during my 28 years of public service,” Kuhl said in a statement. “I will address any political decisions in the future but right now it is important for Eric to get the treatment that he needs to recover.”

A Republican source expressed optimism that the GOP could pick this up — and seriously talked down the idea of Kuhl being the nominee over Reed. “This seat becomes an immediate pickup opportunity for Republicans,” the source said. “The only reason it was lost was because Randy Kuhl ran such an inept campaign. He was the only guy who was capable of losing it.”

2010 elections, Eric Massa, House '10, NY-29, Randy Kuhl