New York 23rd:Scozzafava throws support to Owens!
From the Washington Post:
State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava (R), who dropped from the special election in Upstate New York yesterday, has now thrown her support to Democrat Bill Owens.
“It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh’s lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress,” said Scozzafava in a statement released moments ago.
Owens said he was “honored” to have won Scozzafava’s endorsement, noting: “Now more than ever we need bipartisan solutions to help bring jobs to Upstate New York to get our economy back on track and move our country forward.”
In view of airbare8’s post from yesterday, this would seem to be good news.
Even though Scozzafava is likely to formally endorse Doug Hoffman, her supporters would be much more at home with moderate Democrat Bill Owens; if anything, the assemblywoman is to the left of Owens at least on some social issues like gay marriage. To be sure, even though Hoffman might well end up winning this, his hardcore rightwing brand is not in the mainstream of New York’s 23rd district. One thing that Owens still has going for him is his large advantage in fundraising. But with only a few days left and perhaps no more public opinion polls to go by, this race is really anyone’s guess at this point.
Update: Democrat Bill Owens released this statement praising Scozzafava and launching a blistering attack on Hoffman — a smart strategy for him to follow for the remainder of the campaign.
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