Following state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long’s assertion that he is too moderate for NY-23, Matt Dohney is firing back, casting himself as in the same camp on abortion rights as another of Long’s endorsed candidates, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio.

“Since you have overlooked his abortion position in your endorsement of him, I would assume that my position on this issue is not one that you would be overly concerned about,” Doheny wrote in a letter to Long that was obtained by “Capital Tonight.”

Doheny also turned the tables on Long, who slammed Doheny for voicing support of Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava after losing the GOP nod to her for last year’s special election.

Doheny noted his primary opponent in this year’s race and Long’s preferred candidate, Doug Hoffman, sent Scozzafava a congratulatory e-mail following her selection last fall as the Republican nominee that read (as per The Watertown Times on Sept. 28, 2009) that read: “Hi Dede. Congratulations and best of luck in your candidacy. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Doug.”

Dohney went on to accuse Hoffman of breaking his word by agreeing to run on Row D even if he didn’t get the Republican nod, thereby improving Democratic Rep. Bill Owens’ chances of holding onto the seat he won last fall, wresting the district from GOP control for the first time since Reconstruction.

“As you will recall, I declined the same offer by you because I decided keeping my word was more important.”

Also worth noting, the Essex County GOP – Hoffman’s home party organization – endorsed Doheny last night. Hoffman, who is out of the country on vacation, didn’t show up, a party source said. The executive committee of the St. Lawrence County GOP endorsed him last night, too.

Doheny has now landed the following endorsements in the 11-county district: The GOP chairs of Jefferson and Clinton counties, the GOP county committees of Oneida, Essex and Madison, and the cities of Oswego and Fulton.

Letter to Conservatives-May 12, 2010

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