A NY-23 Update

As both Democrats and Republicans prepare to endorse candidates to run for Congressman John McHugh’s soon-to-be-vacant seat, the National Republican Congressional Committee offers a pre-emptive strike against Darrel Aubertine, the Democrats’ strongest potential candidate.



The effort by the NRCC to attack Aubertine early serves two purposes. The first is to discourage him from running for the seat altogether. The second is, if he chooses to run, to begin defining him in a negative light and get an early start on the race. If Aubertine decides to run, he will immediately receive the blessing of the county party heads in charge of candidate selection.

Things are a little trickier on the Republican side. Liberal Republican Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava appears to have the inside track for the endorsement, but conservative Republican activists are already trashing her as an unacceptable candidate. There is a so far unsubstantiated rumor that if Scozzafava is the nominee, the RNC will not support her financially (although the NRCC clearly already has money invested in the race). We should know the nominees of both parties shortly, so check back for more updates soon.