From the Watertown Daily Times (a paper local to the NY-23 race):
Dierdre K. Scozzafava’s decision to suspend her campaign for the 23rd Congressional District seat is a shocking development in what had already been an extraordinary race.
In her statement Saturday morning, the assemblywoman explained the reasons behind her decision: “It is increasingly clear that pressure is mounting on many of my supporters to shift their support. Consequently, I hereby release those individuals who have endorsed and supported my campaign to transfer their support as they see fit to do so.”
During the day Saturday, she began to quietly and thoughtfully encourage her supporters to vote for Democrat William L. Owens.
(emphasis mine)
Now, this could be a reflection of her true political persuasion, or it could just be aimed at defeating the conservative who knocked her out of the race.
Either way, however, it’s hardly what I want to see in a Republican… candidate or elected official. I believe we need to have higher standards than that other party.
Update: More confirmation of Scozzafava endorsing the Democrat from The Hill.
Updates II and III: Even more confirmation (as if it were needed) from the NY Daily News.
Background on the Owens endorsement, and reaction from the Hoffman camp in the Watertown Daily Times.
She was showing her true colors, of course. It may be a little sour grapes too, since she wanted a seat at the table of power and Hoffman denied her that privilege.
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that she was set in place by the DNC to “poison the well”, so to speak.
I also heard somewhere that if she would have been elected, she was going to switch to the Democrat party; however, that is an unconfirmed report.
Whatever the case, the race in New York’s 23rd district is certainly one to keep a close eye on. I dare say that if the elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia all go in favor of the candidates who are not Democrats, that would be sending a message to President Obama and leftists in U.S. Congress.