The Credit Union Association of New York is backing Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco in the special election for the U.S. House seat formerly held by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.Tedisco, who has worked with credit unions on a range of issues including identity theft protection, has been a state legislator since 1982 and leader of the Republicans since 2005."James Tedisco believes in the value credit unions bring to their communities as local financial institutions, owned and operated by the members that use their services," said William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the association. Our credit unions, and the members they serve, need a strong voice like Tedisco's in our nation's capital. We believe that he will be a great addition to the New York delegation and to the U.S. Congress."Tedisco will face Democrat Scott Murphy, a former software company owner, in the March 31 special election.Gillibrand, who had held the seat since January 2007, was named by New York Gov. David Paterson to succeed former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton when she became secretary of state.