Hopefuls in 23rd eye party backing

POTSDAM — Four prospective 23rd Congressional District candidates attended a St. Lawrence County Conservative Committee "meet-and-greet" session Tuesday night, but party members stopped short of endorsing any of them.

Henry "Hank" Ford, Conservative Committee chairman, said Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun; Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, Gouverneur; Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski; and Matthew A. Doheny, Alexandria Bay, attended the event.

"We didn't even discuss what we thought about one or another," he said. "We just thanked them for showing up."

Mr. Ford declined to say whether there is a clear front-runner for the party's endorsement.

All have expressed interest in the 23rd Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor. Mr. McHugh will vacate the seat if he is confirmed as Army secretary this summer.

"We gave the people interested in the 23rd an opportunity to meet with people and tell them why they wanted to seek the office," Mr. Ford said.

He said there is a chance the committee will again meet with the four before deciding who to endorse, but that will likely only happen if more hopefuls seek the Conservative nod.

Committee members also endorsed county Legislator Joseph R. Lightfoot, Ogdensburg, for a November special election to serve the remaining year of a term vacated in February by Thomas A. Nichols. Mr. Lightfoot will likely face a Republican primary against fellow town of Oswegatchie resident William F. Brunet.