NY-23

A Three-Way Special Election In NY-23?

Eric Kleefeld | September 24, 2009, 6:46PM

NY-23 candidates Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D)

The upcoming NY-23 special election, caused by the resignation of GOP Rep. John McHugh when he became President Obama's Secretary of the Army, could very well turn into a genuine three-way race -- and the right-wing Club For Growth appear ready to help make it happen.

The issue here is that a lot of conservatives are looking at the Republican nominee, state Rep. Dede Scozzafava, and seeing a big liberal -- she's pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and is somewhat supportive of labor unions. New York has a separate Conservative Party -- which normally thrives under New York's fusion voting system -- and they now have their own candidate, accountant Doug Hoffman.

The Club has released a new poll that finds some potential for a Hoffman candidacy. The poll asks this question: "Would you prefer your next member of Congress be a liberal Democrat, a liberal Republican, or a Conservative Party candidate who would align himself with Republicans in Congress?" The result: Conservative 36.3%, liberal Democrat 30.7%, and liberal Republican 17.7%.

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