WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava withdrew Saturday from a special congressional election in New York, allowing the party to endorse a conservative.
Scozzafava, announcing her decision, said polls show the race is clearly between her two opponents, Democrat Bill Owens and Doug Hoffman, a right-wing Republican running on the Conservative Party line, Politico said. With only two days to go before Tuesday's election, her name will remain on the ballot.
"The reality that I've come to accept is that in today's political arena, you must be able to back up your message with money -- and as I've been outspent on both sides, I've been unable to effectively address many of the charges that have been made about my record," Scozzafava said.
Republicans believe her withdrawal gives the party a better chance of keeping the seat, which had been held by John McHugh, named secretary of the Army by President Obama. GOP National Chairman Michael Steele told Politico Friday that a Hoffman win would be a win for the party.
"You've got two Republicans running in that race. My upside is that one of them will likely win," Steele said. "We want to be supporting the one that wins."
