Romney won't endorse in New York's 23rd district race....

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he would not endorse the Republican candidate in the special election to fill New York's 23rd District seat.

The statement adds weight to the GOP frenzy surrounding the special election in upstate New York.  

Republicans across the country are eying NY's 23 because in addition to a Republican and a Democrat the race features a conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman. Apparently Hoffman is poised to pull down more votes then the Republican Dede Scozzafava, and the guy is pulling down some big time GOP support.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has endorsed Hoffman, Fred Thompson cut a commercial for Hoffman and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is apparently also supporting the guy.

Meanwhile Newt Gingrichhas thrown his weight behind Scozzafava in apparent deference to the GOP leadership. Here's Gingrich's take via Chris Cillizza over at the The Washington Post.

(Gingrich) He noted that Hoffman had run against Scozzafava for the Republican nomination and lost at a series of county meetings; in an e-mail, he warned of the "grave danger of establishing the precedent that every faction can run a third party candidate if they lose a primary or a convention," adding that such a strategy is "the road to re-elect Obama and make [ Nancy] Pelosi speaker for life."

The congressional seat opened this summer when President Obama named John McHugh secretary of the Army. Polling and conversations with those close to the contest suggest that it is a race between Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens, with Scozzafava fading badly.

Romney said Wednesday that he expects his non-endorsement to send an adequate message.

"I have chosen not to endorse the Republican in the 23," Romney said.

Here's some more background on the race for New York's 23 district...

Here's a great breakdown of the players and the stakes by Dan Balz at the WaPo...

   

Comments

[James Young]

This is a tough race for genuine and loyal Republicans. Ideologically, Hoffman is clearly the superior choice; I am at a loss to name a vote --- other than the organizational vote --- in which Scozzafava can be depended upon to vote the right way. However, Scozzafava is the nominee, and is owed a duty from partisan Republicans.

Better to say nothing.