NY lawmaker King backing Scozzafava in 23rd race

Rep. Peter King, a Republican from Long Island who flirted with a run for U.S. Senate earlier this year, is endorsing Dierdre K. Scozzafava for Congress.

Mr. King’s endorsement, like the support Ms. Scozzafava gained Thursday from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., adds another conservative Republican voice to her campaign as she tries to fend off reports that the Republican base is torn over her candidacy.

"I am proud to stand with Dede Scozzafava today and endorse her to represent New York's 23rd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. For over a decade, Dede has been a strong and valued voice for the Republican Party, fighting for lower taxes, lower spending and the core principles of our party,” Mr. King said in a statement.

Mr. King briefly considered running against Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., but bowed out of that race this summer. He is the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security.