Obama to raise money for New York special election House candidate

President Barack Obama will make a rare cameo appearance in a House race when he holds a New York City fundraiser for special-election candidate Bill Owens.

The fundraiser will be held Oct. 20 and coincides with a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.

Obama has been reticent to get involved in congressional races, especially House contests, and has more often than not had Vice President Joe Biden do the political legwork for him.

His involvement in the state’s other special election earlier this year was limited; he gave Democrat Scott Murphy his endorsement and Biden did a radio ad for the candidate. That has led to some grumbling among Democrats who wish the president would do more in the special elections and other races.

The pressure might be working now. Owens is running against GOP Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in next month’s special election for Army Secretary John McHugh’s (R) former House seat in New York.

“It's an honor to have the president's backing, and I'm grateful that he is taking the time to support our campaign," Owens said in a statement, according to the Watertown Daily Times. "I look forward to working with President Obama in Congress, where I'll join his efforts to create jobs and get our economy back on track."