The three way race has attracted national attention, with the GOP split down the middle. Most conservatives have supported 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 without endorsing anyone. Democrat Bill Owens 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.[1]
Career
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
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%. [2] 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." [3]
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.[4]
Notable Endorsements
- Club for Growth PAC
- The American Conservative Union
- The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc. [5]
- New York State Right to Life Political Action Committee [6]
- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty [7]
- Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann [8]
- South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint [8]
- Former New York Governor George Pataki [9]
- Former Alaska Governor and Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. [10]
- Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey. [11]
- Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson. [12]
- Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum[13]
- Economist Steve Forbes
- Columnist Michelle Malkin [14]
- Columnist Bill Kristol[15]
- Radio Talk Show Host Mark Levin[16]
- Radio Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh[17]
- The New York Post[18]
- The Wall Street Journal [19]
- The National Review
- The Susan B. Anthony List [19]
- The National Organization for Marriage [19]
- Our Country Deserves Better PAC [20]
External links
references
- ↑ See Oct 26-28 poll data
- ↑ http://www.clubforgrowth.org/media/uploads/09-09-24-poll-summary.pdf
- ↑ http://912candidates.org/ny/2009/09/05/912-candidate-doug-hoffmann-u-s-congress-ny-23rd-district/
- ↑ In the 23rd Congressional District Special Election, Support for RINO Plummets
- ↑ http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6580:hoffman-endorsed-by-pba-for-23rd&catid=60:st-lawrence-news&Itemid=175
- ↑ http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6776:right-to-life-endorses-hoffman&catid=57:commentary&Itemid=193
- ↑ http://www.redstate.com/erick/2009/10/26/redstate-exclusive-tim-pawlenty-endorses-doug-hoffman/
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Michele Bachmann Talkingpointsmemodc, October 22, 2009
- ↑ http://www.redstate.com/blog/2009/10/29/breaking-pataki-endorses-hoffman/
- ↑ http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=157794838434
- ↑ http://washingtonindependent.com/64383/ny-23-dick-armey-campaigns-for-doug-hoffman
- ↑ http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003212009&topic=election_2010
- ↑ http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20091023/BLOGS09/910239991/BLOGS09
- ↑ http://vdare.com/malkin/091015_scozzafava.htm
- ↑ http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/10/shouldnt_the_republican_establ_1.asp
- ↑ http://www.marklevinshow.com/Article.asp?id=1552958&spid=32364
- ↑ http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_102109/content/01125110.guest.html
- ↑ http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/doug_hoffman_for_congress_21sqalnJNLjOEpD7JEOHaJ
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Right Battles G.O.P. in a Pivotal Race in New York New York Times, October 26, 2009
- ↑ Our Country Deserves Better