MONDAY ENDORSEMENTS: David O'B. Martin, One Nation, Republicans galore
Former Rep. David O'Brien Martin, a St. Lawrence County native who preceded Rep. John McHugh as Congressman for most of what is now the 23rd Congressional District, endorsed Dede Scozzafava Monday.
Mr. Martin represented the old 30th Congressional District from 1981 to 1983, and the old 26th Congressional District from 1983 to 1993.
"As the old saying goes, all politics is local, and the candidate with the most experience and understanding of issues important to the district is the candidate best suited to represent this area in Congress," said the former congressman in a statement. "After serving in Congress for more than a decade, I know that your number one priority must be your district and your constituency, not the talking heads circuit on cable television. Having the endorsement of big names from Washington is fine, but if you can't articulate the most basic needs of the constituents of the 23rd District, you have no business running for this congressional seat."
"From the three candidates in this race, the only one with a record of getting things done for her community is Dede Scozzafava. I can say with certainty that Dede has a better understanding of this district than either of her opponents. Dede is unequivocally the most qualified candidate in this race and I endorse her wholeheartedly.
"It is also important to note that Republican Leader Boehner has pledged to secure Dede a seat on the House Armed Services Committee. From that important vantage point she will be able to look after the needs of Fort Drum and our soldiers. That is very important to the 10th Mountain Division, our national security and, of course, to the economy of the north country." he concluded.
One Nation PAC, a conservative political action committee, endorsed Doug Hoffman.
The group supports candidates who will advocate for lower taxes, limited government, strong national defense, energy independence, common sense healthcare, environmental conservation, superior education, and family values.
"Winning this seat will be the beginnings of the conservative comeback in Congress, With just one year to go until the November 2010 congressional elections, a victory will show that conservative values and strong leadership matter to the American people," said Kelly S. Eustis, executive director of One Nation PAC. Mr. Eustis attended college at SUNY Potsdam from 2005 to 2007.
"The choice is clear," said the executive director said in a statement. "A conservative leader that represents the values of the North Country, or choosing between a left-wing Republican and 'Nancy Pelosi' Democrat who share the same liberal views of being pro-choice, anti-traditional marriage, higher taxes, big labor, and socialized healthcare."
Mr. Hoffman was also endorsed by Rep. John Linder, R-Ga., the former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
“The biggest concern I have with the Republican candidate in this race is that her long held positions on unions, taxes and spending incline me to believe that she will give Nancy Pelosi a Republican vote so that these many outrageous grabs for power and control will be called 'bipartisan,'" the congressman said in a statement. "I am confident that Doug will not do that.”
Mr. Hoffman also announced endorsements from 10 Republican leaders across the district. They include:
- Bob Dugan, who the campaign said resigned today as first vice chairman of the Fulton County Republican Committee
- Mark Flack, a Franklin County GOP committeeman
- Mary Ashley Carroll, former St. Lawrence County Republican committeewoman
- William Eschler, Fulton County clerk, county Republican committeeman Al Bohn, former Fulton County treasurer
- Richard Simpson, Lee Town GOP committee
- Lucien Leroux, Franklin County Republican committee, Fort Covington GOP chair
- Mark J. Wells, Fort Covington GOP committee
- Joe Spadaro, Harrietstown GOP chairman
- June Iby, Westville GOP committeewoman
