News stories tagged with "hoffman"

(03/05/12) Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman says he's considering another run for congress. In an interview broadcast this morning on NPR, Hoffman said he was waiting to make his decision until redistricting lines are redrawn.

A Federal judge is now considering plans submitted by political leaders in New York state. Under one of those plans, Hoffman would land in the 20th congressional district, where he now lives. But under another plan, the 23rd district would expand to include Lake Placid.

Two years ago, Hoffman moved his residency to Saranac Lake while challenging fellow Republican Matt Doheny in the GOP primary.

Hoffman's two bids for congress drew widespread support from conservatives in the 23rd district and divided Republican voters, but he fell short against Democratic Representative Bill Owens.

The judge's decision on how to draw congressional lines in New York State could come within the next two weeks.

(05/19/11) Next week voters in western New York will elect a new member of Congress.

The 26th district is conservative territory, but Republicans are worried that they could see a repeat of the debacle in the North Country that already cost them one House seat.

In 2009, tea party candidate Doug Hoffman and Republican Dede Scozzafava split the conservative vote in the 23rd district House race.

That opened the door to a special election victory by Bill Owens.

Now the GOP is scrambling to hold onto a seat against a Democrat and a well-known businessman who's running on the tea party line.

Brian Mann has our story. more

(11/03/10) One of the few bright lights for Democrats last night was the re-election of Congressman Bill Owens over Republican businessman Matt Doheny in the 23rd district. After last year's special election, Owens earned his first full term by a slim 51 to 49% margin over Doheny. But it was conservative and erstwhile Tea Partier Doug Hoffman whose 6% showing that may have decided the race. David Sommerstein has our report. more

(10/15/10) This is expected to be a big year for Republicans. But Democrats appear to have a very real shot at capturing the 114th Assembly seat that represents Clinton and Franklin counties.

The district has been a GOP stronghold for generations. But this year, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, a Republican, is locked in a bitter contest with Conservative candidate David Kimmel.

Their divisive battle could leave an opening for Democrat Rudy Johnston.

All three candidates held a debate last night in Saranac Lake. Brian Mann was there and has our story. more

(09/30/10) In the North Country's 23rd Congressional District, UNYTEA ended its support for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. The Tea Party group has not endorsed Republican primary winner Matt Doheny.

Mark Barie is chairman of UNYTEA, which claims around a thousand members across the region. He tells Jonathan Brown the group's steering committee met with Doheny yesterday.

(09/24/10) Yesterday was a dramatic day in North Country politics. Republican Matt Doheny finally claimed victory in the GOP primary. But a short time later, his opponent Doug Hoffman announced that he will continue his run for the 23rd district House seat as a 3rd-party conservative.

That decision will make it much harder for the GOP to retake a House seat that was once considered safe Republican territory. Brian Mann spoke with Hoffman.

(09/24/10) Another big player in this year's campaign is Mark Barie, organizer of the UNYTEA tea party group in Plattsburgh.

Barie has been a staunch supporter of Doug Hoffman and once described him as the only true conservative running in the NY-23 race. But Barie said yesterday that he is dismayed by Hoffman's decision to stay in the race, despite losing the GOP primary. He spoke with Brian Mann.

(09/24/10) Doug Hoffman's decision to stay in the NY-23 race comes as a severe blow to Matt Doheny, the businessman from Watertown.

Doheny prevailed yesterday in the Republican primary. He had hoped to use this week as a kind of victory lap after a bruising primary, as he pivots to face Bill Owens.

Despite Hoffman's challenge from the right, Doheny told Brian Mann that he thinks his message will be strong enough to prevail in November.

(09/23/10) A statement from Doug Hoffman confirms that the accountant and tea party favorite from Lake Placid and Saranac Lake will continue his bid for the NY-23 seat as a 3rd party Conservative candidate. Hoffman concedes the GOP primary to Republican Matt Doheny. This afternoon's announcement sets up a three-way race between Hoffman, Republican Matt Doheny and Democrat Bill Owens. More to follow on All Before 5. more

(09/16/10) While Republicans are still sorting out their primary results from this week's election in the 23rd district, Democrat Bill Owens began broadcasting his first campaign ad yesterday.

Owens, a businessman and attorney from Plattsburgh, holds a sizable fundraising lead over his Republican and Conservative opponents.

Owens faces a national mood that appears to be running strongly against Democrats.

But he enters the fall campaign with a unified party, and support from at least some Republicans.

Owens spoke yesterday with Brian Mann about the contest going forward.