United Liberty

In a surprising development, Dede Scozzafava, the Republican endorsed candidate, has dropped out of the race in NY-23:

Dede Scozzafava, the Republican and Independence parties candidate, announced Saturday that she is suspending her campaign for the 23rd Congressional District and releasing all her supporters.

The state Assemblywoman has not thrown her support to either Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate, or Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate.

“Today, I again seek to act for the good of our community,” Ms. Scozzafava wrote in a letter to friends and supporters. “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. I am and have always been a proud Republican. It is my hope that with my actions today, my party will emerge stronger and our district and our nation can take an important step towards restoring the enduring strength and economic prosperity that has defined us for generations.”

Scozzafava pointed to another poll in the race showing her in last place while Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate, and Doug Hoffman, the Conservative nominee, are in a statistical tie. She also said her funding had dried up and would not be able to catch up, not to mention the rumors that the NRCC was cutting their losses and pulling out of the district.

Robert Stacy McCain, who has been covering the race from the district, writes that Scozzafava will endorse Doug Hoffman.

This a huge victory for the conservative grassroots and a blackeye to the Republican establishment, especially to Newt Gingrich, who display stunning arrogance and contempt for conservatives by digging in his heels and criticizing anyone that voiced support for Hoffman.