Barclay says GOP unity key to victory

Douglas L. Hoffman offered to support a Republican candidate during last fall's special election in the 23rd Congressional District, only to decide later to run against her.

Now William A. Barclay would like Mr. Hoffman to guarantee he won't use the Conservative Party line, which state leaders have promised him, to challenge the Republican nominee if he doesn't emerge victorious in the primary.

"To win back the congressional seat John McHugh used to hold, we Republicans will need to be united," Mr. Barclay, a Pulaski assemblyman and potential primary opponent, said in a statement. "I am committed to working for a united effort to defeat (Rep. William L.) Owens. Is Doug Hoffman?"

Republicans had represented parts of the 23rd Congressional District since 1850. But Republican voters were divided during last fall's special election with two party members on the ballot. A Democrat, William L. Owens, was elected.

Republican Dierdre K. Scozzafava received 8,582 votes. Mr. Hoffman, a Republican running solely on the Conservative Party line, lost by 3,584 votes.

Robert H. Ryan, Mr. Hoffman's spokesman, repeatedly declined Wednesday to say what his candidate would do if he lost a Republican primary.

"Doug Hoffman has broad-based support throughout the district," he said instead. "He proved that last November and it was proven again in a poll released this January. He's the front-runner in this race and he plans to be the nominee in both the Republican and Conservative parties."

Mr. Barclay also urged Mr. Hoffman to ask the Conservative Party not to pick a candidate until after the Republican primary, "instead of trying to blackmail Republicans with a threat of 'Either back him or else he will try to cause us to lose to Owens.'"

There are potential complications.

A registered Conservative Party member could collect 266 signatures and be guaranteed a ballot line, which would require state leaders to decide whether they wanted to create a primary against one of their own by allowing Mr. Hoffman, a registered Republican, to run against that person.

Party committees have one week after the September primary to designate their candidates. If no Conservative came forward, state leaders could wait until after the Republican Party to pick a candidate and unify their efforts with the GOP.

Mr. Barclay said he will continue to pursue Mr. Hoffman on the issue until he "gives us a straight answer" on whether he will support the Republican choice against Mr. Owens.