HOFFMAN THROWS IN TOWEL

Democrat Bill Owens is leading in the 23rd Congressional District race.

The Plattsburgh attorney has 60,916 votes compared to Conservative Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid CPA, with 56,579 votes.

Dede Scozzafava, a Republican who dropped out of the race Saturday, has 6,866 votes.

There were more than 10,000 absentee votes sent out before the election and some 5,800 were returned and must be counted. More absentee ballots, if sent before the deadline, could still be received.

Owens now leads in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties.

Hoffman leads in Lewis, Oswego, Oneida, Fulton, Hamilton and Madison counties.

Owens is maintaining a 48 percent to 45 percent lead.

Four precincts in St. Lawrence County are having mechanical problems and total results for the county won't be available tonight.