Hoffman moving to NY-23

Douglas L. Hoffman said so much of his personal, professional and military career happened in the 23rd Congressional District that he considers himself “a son” of the district.

Soon the Lake Placid accountant will be a resident, too.

Mr. Hoffman, a candidate for the Republican nomination in this congressional district, said he plans to close next month on a property in Saranac Lake.

“I’ll be moving back home,” said Mr. Hoffman, who was raised in the village and served in the state National Guard there.

The 10-mile move is largely symbolic, since the Constitution doesn’t require a candidate or office holder for Congress to live in the district.

But by moving, Mr. Hoffman can avoid the criticism he faced during last fall’s special election for not living with the boundaries of the 11-county district.

In that race, Mr. Hoffman created a three-way election when, disappointed by his party’s pick of Dierdre K. Scozzafava, he sought and was given the Conservative Party’s ballot line. He later finished second to now-Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Mr. Hoffman, who has been promised the Conservative Party line again this fall, could potentially create a second three-way race if he loses a GOP primary to any of three potential candidates: state Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski; Watertown businessman Matthew A. Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake.

Mr. Hoffman wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he’d continue his campaign as a Conservative candidate if he lost a Republican primary, calling the scenario “hypothetical.”

When asked if he thought that he could prevail in a three-way race, Mr. Hoffman replied: “I think that’s a hypothetical question again.”

The candidate concluded: “I’m going to work very hard to reunite the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and the Independence Party in this campaign. I think that by successfully doing that, we’re going to defeat Bill Owens.”