Hoffman Hangs On
Politico has called the GOP primary in NY-23 for Matt Doheny. But with some ballots still uncounted, rival candidate Doug Hoffman is keeping his campaign alive.
In New York’s 23rd congressional district, Hoffman is trailing businessman Matt Doheny by 612 votes with 99.2% of precincts reporting. Although Politico has called the race for Doheny, there remain some 1700+ absentee ballots to be counted.
The Hoffman campaign struck a defiant tone, indicating what could be a long, drawn-out ballot counting process.
Reached for comment, Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan told FrumForum that “over 4,000 absentee ballots were requested in this race and under New York election law they have to be postmarked by September 14th and received by the board of elections by next Tuesday. This race is far from over.”
Ryan declined to say whether Hoffman would cease campaigning if he didn’t win the Republican nomination – Hoffman has already secured the Conservative Party ballot line for Election Day.
Doheny spokesperson Alison Power told FrumForum that she wouldn’t comment on Hoffman’s plans, except to point out that Doheny pledged he wouldn’t campaign on his ballot line (Doheny has the Independence Party’s nomination) if he lost.
If Hoffman is found to have lost the Republican primary, a continued campaign on the Conservative Party ticket would set up a three-way race, paving the way for incumbent Democratic congressman Bill Owens to run up the middle and get re-elected – mirroring the circumstances of the 2009 special election that saw Dede Scozzafava ousted as the Republican candidate.
Even if Hoffman decides to suspend campaigning, his name will still appear on the Conservative Party line on November 2nd. According to state election law, Hoffman’s name will remain on the ballot unless he dies, is convicted of a felony, is committed to a mental institution, moves out of state, or is nominated for a judgeship.
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