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[[Image:DougHoffman.jpg|right|Doug Hoffman|thumb]]'''Douglas L. Hoffman''' is the [[The Conservative Party of New York State|Conservative Party]] candidate for Congress in a special election in upstate New York Nov. 3, 2009.

[[Image:DougHoffman.jpg|right|Doug Hoffman|thumb]]'''Douglas L. Hoffman''' is the [[The Conservative Party of New York State|Conservative Party]] candidate for Congress in a special election in upstate New York Nov. 3, 2009.

[[File:NY23poll.jpg|thumb|250px|Siena Poll shows Scozzafava collapse as Hoffman comes from behind and ties Owens]]

[[File:NY23poll.jpg|thumb|250px|Siena Poll shows Scozzafava collapse as Hoffman comes from behind and ties Owens]]

The three way race has attracted national attention. From around the country conservatives rushed to support Hoffman. Polls in late October show support for liberal Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] collapsed, as independents moved to the Conservative candidate Hoffman. She dropped out on Oct. 31 and endorsed Democrat [[Bill Owens]], who is carrying the traditional Democratic vote and is tied with Hoffman; observers expect a very close race with an advantage for Hoffman if he picks up most of the party-line Republican voters.<ref> See [http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2009/10/28/NY/408 Oct 26-28 poll data]</ref>

The three way race attracted national attention. From around the country conservatives rushed to support Hoffman. Polls in late October showed support for liberal Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] collapse, as independents moved to the Conservative candidate Hoffman. She dropped out on Oct. 31 and endorsed Democrat [[Bill Owens]], who carried the traditional Democratic vote.  Hoffman lost the election, receiving 45% of the vote. Owens totaled 49%.

Hoffman is a businessman and accountant for Dragon Benware Crowley & Co., P.C. accounting firm. While attending college Hoffman had enlisted in the Army serving as a member of the New York State National Guard from 1970 through 1973 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 through 1976. Hoffman received a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and accounting from the [[University of Connecticut]]. In 1977, Hoffman became an Assistant Controller for the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Organizing Committee, and oversaw a budget of $150 million, 2,500 employees and 6000 volunteers. He has since been heavily involved in his local community, and many of his clients are involved in Washington politics.

Hoffman is a businessman and accountant for Dragon Benware Crowley & Co., P.C. accounting firm. While attending college Hoffman had enlisted in the Army serving as a member of the New York State National Guard from 1970 through 1973 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 through 1976. Hoffman received a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and accounting from the [[University of Connecticut]]. In 1977, Hoffman became an Assistant Controller for the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Organizing Committee, and oversaw a budget of $150 million, 2,500 employees and 6000 volunteers. He has since been heavily involved in his local community, and many of his clients are involved in Washington politics.

==2009 Election==

==2009 Election==

After losing the Republican Party's nomination, Doug Hoffman is the [[Conservative Party of New York]]'s nominee for a special election to [[Congress]] from the 23rd district, running against liberal Republican [[Dede Scozzafava]] and Democrat [[Bill Owens]]. If elected he would caucus with Republicans. A September 2009 poll shows the three candidates in a statistical tie, with Scozzafava at 20%, Owens at 17%, and Hoffman at 17%. <ref>http://www.clubforgrowth.org/media/uploads/09-09-24-poll-summary.pdf</ref> The Hill newspaper editorialized that "Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman is beginning to look like he might be a force in the upcoming New York special election." <ref>http://912candidates.org/ny/2009/09/05/912-candidate-doug-hoffmann-u-s-congress-ny-23rd-district/</ref>

After losing the Republican Party's nomination, Doug Hoffman was the [[Conservative Party of New York]]'s nominee for a special election to [[Congress]] from the 23rd district, running against liberal Republican [[Dede Scozzafava]] and Democrat [[Bill Owens]]. A September 2009 poll showed the three candidates in a statistical tie, with Scozzafava at 20%, Owens at 17%, and Hoffman at 17%. <ref>http://www.clubforgrowth.org/media/uploads/09-09-24-poll-summary.pdf</ref> The Hill newspaper editorialized that "Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman is beginning to look like he might be a force in the upcoming New York special election." <ref>http://912candidates.org/ny/2009/09/05/912-candidate-doug-hoffmann-u-s-congress-ny-23rd-district/</ref>

An October 1st, 2009 poll showed Dede Scozzafava had a seven point lead over Owens, 35-28, with Hoffman in third place at 16. However, on October 15, a [[Siena Poll]] released showed [[Democrat]] Bill Owens led Republican (RINO) Dede Scozzafava by 4 and [[Conservative]] Doug Hoffman by 10.<ref>[http://www.tcotreport.com/poll.html In the 23rd Congressional District Special Election, Support for RINO Plummets]</ref>

An October 1st, 2009 poll showed Dede Scozzafava had a seven point lead over Owens, 35-28, with Hoffman in third place at 16. However, on October 15, a [[Siena Poll]] released showed [[Democrat]] Bill Owens led Republican (RINO) Dede Scozzafava by 4 and [[Conservative]] Doug Hoffman by 10.<ref>[http://www.tcotreport.com/poll.html In the 23rd Congressional District Special Election, Support for RINO Plummets]</ref>