Hoffman conceded at 46% to Owens' 49%. I'm wondering what the results would have been if the RINO hadn't endorsed the Dem. I also saw that she still got 5% of the votes, which could have been hardcore supporters making a statement, or dumbass voters who didn't know she withdrew.
As close as the race was now, it seems to me if the GOP had endorsed Hoffman to begin with, he would have had it in the bag.
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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-elect4-2009nov04,0,182998.storylatimes.com
Democrats score congressional victories in California, New York
The GOP fares better in Virginia and New Jersey as both states elect Republican governors.
From Times staff and wire reports
9:42 PM PST, November 3, 2009
Reporting from San Francisco and Washington
A Democrat won a special congressional election in a heavily Republican district in northern New York by exploiting a battle between moderates and conservatives for control of the GOP.
With 88 percent of the precincts reporting early Wednesday, lawyer and retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens defeated businessman Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate, 49 percent to 46 percent.
Dierdre Scozzafava, a moderate Republican, withdrew from the race Saturday under pressure from the party's right wing because of her support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage. She still picked up 5 percent of the vote.
Hoffman conceded the race Wednesday.
Hoffman started at a distant third and was viewed as a spoiler at best, cutting away at Scozzafava and opening the door for Owens. But prominent Republicans such as former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Hoffman instead of the party-picked Scozzafava.
Owens' victory may signal renewed strength among Democrats, or at least reassure them of Republicans' perceived weakness. The seat has been strongly Republican for decades. The outcome leaves Republicans holding only two seats in the state's 29-seat congressional delegation. Republican John McHugh vacated the seat in September to become Army secretary.
Democrats scored another victory in California, as Lt. Gov. John Garamendi won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands.
Garamendi's victory was all but certain after he won the September primary election because Democrats enjoy an 18-point registration edge over Republicans in the 10th Congressional District.
He easily defeated Republican David Harmer, a 47-year-old attorney. With 50 percent of precincts reporting, Garamendi had 55 percent of the vote compared to Harmer's 40 percent.
Meanwhile, Republicans seized the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey, giving the GOP a psychological boost heading into next year's midterm elections.
In Virginia, Republican Robert F. McDonnell took a commanding lead over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds. In New Jersey, Republican former prosecutor Chris Christie defeated Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, who had sought to salvage his candidacy by declaring Obama a partner in his governorship.
Both major parties invested millions in Tuesday's contests, aiming not just to win, but to spin the outcome before 2010 midterm elections, when most governors, a third of the Senate and all 435 House seats are on the ballot. The results could play an important role in the parties' fundraising and candidate recruitment efforts.
In the short run, the off-year races will also color perceptions within the Washington Beltway as Obama and the Democratic-run Congress strive to pass landmark healthcare reform legislation then turn to global warming.
In Virginia, McDonnell's victory was no surprise. A stronger, more polished candidate than Deeds, he had history on his side: Virginia voters have not elected a governor from the same party as the president in more than 30 years. The election was fought mainly over local issues; more jobs and better roads. McDonnell did his best to hug the middle, downplaying his conservative social views.
Still, the outcome gave Obama and Democrats some cause for concern. The party was on a roll in once-Republican Virginia. This time, however, GOP voters were as energized as Democrats were blasé, electing Republican candidates in both the lieutenant governor and attorney general races.
In New Jersey, the race ended up a choice between two highly unpopular candidates and a third-party hopeful. Corzine was an early underdog, given the rough economy and his miserable poll ratings. He battled back with a slashing attack on Christie, including a none-too-subtle jab at the Republican's considerable girth. But in the end, Christie scored a decisive win.
Unlike Virginia, New Jersey leans Democratic, and Obama made three visits to stump with Corzine. Christie, in turn, refrained from any criticism of Obama.
