As Republicans Choose Sides In NY-23 Special Election, Will Roy Blunt And Chuck Purgason Join Prominent Conservatives Like Sarah Palin And Endorse Doug Hoffman?

Oct 28, 2009

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Will The Republican Senate Candidates Buck The GOP Establishment And Endorse Conservative Party Nominee Hoffman Or Will They Stick With Old-Time Insider Politicians And Endorse Scozzafava?

With next week's special election to be held in New York's 23rd Congressional District, who will the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate -- Congressman Roy Blunt and Chuck Purgason – endorse in the race to succeed former Congressman John McHugh? Although Republican Dede Scozzafava is the choice of national Republicans, including the NRCC, many prominent conservatives from around the country have decided to endorse the Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman, who they view as the true conservative in the race. Recently, Hoffman has been endorsed by prominent conservatives such as Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Dick Armey, and Fred Thompson. Hoffman is also viewed more favorably by the TEA Party protesters and other far-right political groups. On the other hand, Scozzafava is being supported by the national Republican Party apparatus, the NRCC, and many old-time, insider politicians such as Newt Gingrich. With many calling the NY-23 election a race for the heart and soul of the Republican Party, who will Roy Blunt and Chuck Purgason support? Will they stand with the Republican Party's Washington establishment wing or will they stand with Sarah Palin and the TEA Party protesters?

"Roy Blunt and Chuck Purgason should tell the people of Missouri who they support in New York's 23rd Congressional District race" said Eric Schultz, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director. "Missouri Republican primary voters have a right to know who Roy Blunt and Chuck Purgason support in the battle for the ‘heart and soul' of the Republican party."