On November 3, 2009, a special election will be held in New York's 23rd Congressional District, an overwhelmingly Republican and predominantly conservative district in upstate New York.

There are three candidates in the race: A Republican, a Democrat and a Conservative Party candidate.

Although the voting will take place in New York, this race is very relevant to us here in Wisconsin, as this election could set the tone for the type of candidates for the 2010 election.

The backgrounds of the three candidates in this race are below.

While C4L can not and does not endorse any particular candidates.  We encourage all of our members to review the collected research, to conduct your own research and to form your own opinion about the race in New York 23.

Whatever opinion you may form about the race in New York 23, we encourage you to put that opinion into action.

You can put your opinion into action by:

Encouraging all your friends and family to take an interest in this race

Donating money to the candidate you support

Contacting the campaign headquarters and asking how you can help

Let's go get 'em!

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Website : http://www.dedeforcongress.com/

Prior public office experience : since 1998

Profession : COO for Seaway Capital Partner and Corporate Secretary for Wise Buy Stores

Education : Scozzafava holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Boston University School of Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the Clarkson Graduate School of Management.

Positions :

For the Obama stimulus

For card check / Against secret ballot in union elections

Does not support 'no pork' pledge

Signed no tax pledge October 15th

For Cash for Clunkers

Does not support school choice / vouchers

Does not support teacher testing / merit pay

Does not support concealed carry

For same-sex marriage

For expanded 'hate crimes' legislation

For inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws

Believes abortion should be legal in all cases

For making morning-after pills available to minors without a doctor’s prescription

Endorsements / Supporters:

National Rifle Association

New York State United Teachers

Newt Gingrich

Rep. Pete Sessions

Rep. Jeb Hensarling

Republican National Committee

National Republican Congressional Committee

Daily Kos

(Endorsed by Working Families Party (ACORN affiliate) in prior races)

Background :

Scozzafava was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1998. She was a Village of Gouverneur Trustee for four years and Mayor of the Village of Gouverneur from 1993 until her election to the State Assembly. Scozzafava has been appointed to serve on the Assembly Standing Committees of Ways and Means, Ethics and Guidance, and Banks for the 2005-2006 Legislative Session, and is the Ranking Member on the Assembly's Codes Committee. Previously, she served on the Task Force on Education Standards, the Nursing Shortage Task Force, the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices, and the Task Force on Integrative Medicine and Agriculture. Scozzafava is married to Ron McDougall, the head of the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence County Central Labor Council and a UAW member.

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DOUG HOFFMAN

Website : http://doughoffmanforcongress.com/

Prior public office experience : None
 
Profession : Accountant and Entrepreneur

Education : Hoffman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh, an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Connecticut (1976). He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Positions:

 Against the Obama stimulus
 Against Cash for Clunkers
 Against card check / FOR secret ballot in union elections
 Signed no tax pledge in August 2009
 Signed no pork pledge
 For school choice
 Against same-sex marriage
 'Pro-life, period.'

Endorsements / Supporters :

Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN)
Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX)
Club for Growth PAC
American Conservative Union
The Conservative Victory Fund
National Republican Trust PAC
New York State Right to Life PAC
Susan B. Anthony List
Concerned Women PAC
Family Research Council Action PAC
Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers

Background :

Hoffman is a Managing Partner of Dragon Benware Crowley & Co. (www.dragonbenware.com) and oversees Hoffman Family Enterprises (www.hoffmanfamilyenterprises.com) a diverse group of companies involved in Investments, Real Estate, Construction, Hospitality and Tourism. Hoffman served as a member of the New York State National Guard from 1970 – 1973 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973-1976. Hoffman held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the time of his discharge. Hoffman also served as Corporate Controller for the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Organizing Committee, overseeing a budget of $150 million and eventually 2,500 employees and 6000 volunteers. Hoffman's wife Carol is a highly decorated Trooper in the New York State Police.

_________

BILL OWENS

Website : http://www.billowensforcongress.com/
 
Prior public office experience : None
 
Profession : Attorney
 
Positions :

For card check / Against secret ballot in union elections
For the stimulus package
Against same-sex marriage
Pro-choice

Endorsements / Supporters:

 President Barack Obama
 Former President Bill Clinton
 Vice President Joe Biden
 SEIU
 Working Families Party (ACORN affiliate)

Background :

Bill Owens is Managing Partner at the law firm Stafford, Owens, Piller, Murnane, & Trombley, PLLC, and has practiced for 30 years.  Owens has served in the Air Force as a Captain at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  Owens has also served on the boards of a number of civic organizations.

 

Bill is married to Jane Owens, his wife of 36 years.