Hoffman makes congressional hopes known

Douglas L. Hoffman's first job was pumping gas and fixing cars at Ed Dukett's Mobil station at Saranac Lake. Four decades later, he's still itching to fix things. Only this time, he's set his sights on Washington, D.C.

Mr. Hoffman, a certified public accountant and managing partner at Dragon, Benware, Crowley & Co., said Tuesday he'll seek the Republican nomination in the 23rd Congressional District. The post is expected to be open soon, provided U.S. Rep. John M. McHugh is confirmed as the Army secretary.

At Mr. Hoffman's announcement in Watertown, the Lake Placid resident portrayed himself as an "average citizen" who now felt compelled to "give back to my community and my country for all the benefits I received living here."

He touted his strong ties to the district, from his National Guard service at Saranac Lake and Fort Drum to his work helping clients at his firm's offices in Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. Mr. Hoffman also went to school here, starting at Canton Agricultural and Technical College and finishing his accounting degree at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Despite his varied stops, Mr. Hoffman acknowledged that he's not well-known in the western half of the district.

"I am sure that I'm not aware of each and every issue," he said. "But that's where my effective listening skills and creative and innovative problem-solving abilities will become important attributes."

Mr. Hoffman also said the district needed a representative with "a strong financial and business background" who can anticipate what fiscal effects legislation will have.

The accountant, who has a nephew stationed at Fort Drum, said the district needs a congressman who will make certain that soldiers have adequate resources "for the physical and emotional trauma they deal with after returning from combat."

Mr. Hoffman appears to be in the preliminary stages of his campaigning. He said he is forming an "exploratory committee," but declined to name anyone who may be a part of that group.

When asked about his ability to fund part of his campaign, Mr. Hoffman said only: "I have resources and I have a lot of contacts. With the combination of those two, I'm going to be a very credible candidate going forward."

Mr. Hoffman joined a crowded field of prospective Republican candidates that includes Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski; businessman Matthew A. Doheny, Alexandria Bay; Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake, and Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, Gouverneur.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, said Tuesday he was no longer interested in the post.

"I plan to continue my service to the people of Central and Northern New York by working to reform the state Legislature and the state budget process," he said in a statement.

Candidates will be vetted by party chairpersons and committee members during four regional meetings. The meetings tentatively are scheduled to be held in southern Oswego County, Gouverneur, Tupper Lake and somewhere in Fulton or Hamilton counties.

The 11 county chairmen will meet following the regional meetings and decide the nominee. This process is being carried out in anticipation of a special election, although Gov. David A. Paterson has the ultimate say on whether that will occur.

The district, long represented by the GOP, spans all or part of 11 counties, as far west as Oswego County, as far south as Madison County, as far north as St. Lawrence County and as far east as Clinton County.