Pelosi: Dems Won’t Change Strategy Following New York Loss

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) brushed off her party’s recent loss in New York’s ninth district, telling reporters Thursday that Democrats won’t change their political strategy in response.

“It does not alter our plan for taking back the House,” Pelosi said during a press conference. “We’re optimistic about the recruitment of candidates, the raising of money, the raising of the issues that are out there and that’s positive for us.”

Pelosi added that following the election there was a surge of campaign funds, adding a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing result.

“It was a good day because … other people realized we really have to buckle down to win this,” Pelosi said.

Tuesday’s special election saw Democrats lose the seat held by former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who resigned amid a cyber sex scandal. The district,which has been held by a Democrat for over 80 years, granted Republican Bob Turner an 8 point victory.

Democrats also suffered an additional blow in Nevada, where the Republican candidate, Mark Amodei, won an open house seat in a landslide. However, Pelosi dismissed the silver state election, noting that Democrats didn’t believe they would be able to win the heavily conservative district.