The 9-12 Project of Central PA

"You Are NOT Alone!"

Sadly, this one is not good news, but so close that Republican Party heads and incumbents must pay attention.

From the Wall Street Journal

By ANTON TROIANOVSKI

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – Democrat Bill Owens won a hard-fought race for a U.S. House seat in New York's 23rd district that pitted many conservative Republicans against the party establishment.

Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman said shortly after midnight Eastern time that he has conceded to Mr. Owens.

"I just got off the phone with Bill Owens, and I congratulated on his win tonight and I told him I would be glad to work with him to help rebuild the economy of the North Country," Mr. Hoffman said. "Most importantly this is only one fight in the battle, people, lets keep the fight going, let's make sure that our voices are heard and that we stand up."

With 88% of precincts reporting early Wednesday, Mr. Owens had 49% of the votes cast to 45.5% for Mr. Hoffman, according to the Associated Press. The loss by Mr. Hoffman is a setback for conservatives, although Republicans won the governorships in New Jersey and Virginia Tuesday.

The race drew national attention because some prominent conservatives and so-called Tea Party activists backed Mr. Hoffman over Dede Scozzafava, the candidate chosen by Republican leaders in the rural district. While Mr. Hoffman ran on a platform of shrinking government and took conservative positions on social issues, Ms. Scozzafava had supported Mr. Obama's stimulus program, advocated for gay rights and favored allowing women to have abortions. Over the weekend, amid surging Republican support for Mr. Hoffman and flagging poll numbers, Ms. Scozzafava pulled out of the race and stunned the region by throwing her support behind Mr. Owens. Ms. Scozzafava had 5.5% of the votes counted as of early Wednesday.

The 23rd district touches Canada and stretches from the Vermont border to Lake Ontario, encompassing large agricultural areas and the army's Fort Drum. Voters found themselves barraged by prominent out-of-town politicians seeking to sway the race. On Monday alone, Watertown -- population 27,000 -- hosted Vice President Joe Biden, former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson and country-music star John Rich.

For Mr. Obama's Democrats, political momentum was at stake. For the GOP, it was a question of how successful candidates backed by Tea Party activists could be in more moderate parts of the country.

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