Republican NY-23 congressional hopeful Matt Doheney is scheduled to meet privately this Monday in Washington, D.C. with leaders of the Club for Growth – the conservative organization that played a key role in the 2009 campaign of Doheny’s primary opponent, Doug Hoffman, spending and/or bundling more than $1 million for his special election bid for the seat vacated by ex-Rep. John McHugh.

A consultant familiar with the NY-23 GOP contest confirms Doheny has quietly befriended David Keating, the Club for Growth’s powerful executive director, and has been in communication with him “for some time.” Keating has been serving as an informal advisor to Doheny’s campaign and personally arranged Monday’s meeting, the consultant said.

Club for Growth spokesman Mike Connolly told The Watertown Times’ Jude Seymour late last month that it’s “hard to say” if the group will endorse Hoffman for the re-match he’s trying to mount against Democratic Rep. Bill Owens.

It would be a major blow to Hoffman if the Club decides to back Doheny instead this time around, but it would be indicative of a trend that’s emerging among local GOP leaders in NY-23, who are increasingly distressed by their erstwhile favorite’s perceived lack of momentum and interest in the race. So far, the state Conservative Party is sticking with Hoffman, which is, of course, great news for Owens.

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