Politics | Doug Hoffman 5 Things to Watch in NY-23 Race Hoffman looks to pick up Scozzafava's supporters By John Johnson Posted Nov 3, 2009 11:41 AM CST Copied Democrat Bill Owens, Conservative Dan Hoffman, and Republican Dierdre Scozzafava. (AP Photo/File) With late polls inconclusive, Josh Kraushaar of Politico runs down five things to watch in the NY-23 congressional race as returns filter in: Dede Scozzafava's supporters: The big question is whether independent-minded GOP voters will go to her endorsed candidate, Democrat Bill Owens, or Conservative Doug Hoffman. Results from her stronghold of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties will tell the tale. Syracuse region: This is neutral turf, and Hoffman needs "a decisive victory" here if he hopes to win. Democrats' "ground game:" This has long been a Republican seat, so Democrats' get-out-the-vote efforts are largely untested. The weather: It's North Country, after all. Cold rain could affect turnout. Hoffman's vote total: If he wins big after battling both the GOP establishment and the Obama administration, it's a sign "the conservative base is far more geared up to vote than its Democratic counterpart." Read These Next Isolated tribe members show up in an unexpected place. Trump just used a spending maneuver last seen nearly 50 years ago. A government watchdog is warning the FAA about meteorologists. Naomi Osaki is fully on Taylor Townsend's side in this spat. Report an error