Scozzafava already drawing attacks

Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava may be the GOP’s frontrunner to hold onto John McHugh’s congressional seat. She’s already won the endorsement of two of the largest counties in the district (population-wise). But even at this early stage of the game, she’s getting hit hard from members of her own party.

Conservative blogger, Red State, has been hammering away at Scozzafava, calling her a “socially and fiscally liberal loser”. Scozzafava’s a moderate Republican who supports the right to an abortion and same-sex marriage. Several years ago, she reversed her stance on death penalty – now she’s opposed to it. Red State even vowed to support Democrat Darrel Aubertine – who opposes same-sex marriage – if the two faced off in an election.

Red State and other political insiders, including the online magazine, Politico, are also bringing up Scozzafava’s ties to her brother’s troubled company, Seaway Valley Capital, which started Wise Buys and now owns the once-venerable North Country retailer, Hacketts. (Hacketts is shuttering stores in Canton, Gouverneur, Pulaski, Watertown, and Massena.) Seaway faces lawsuits contending it owes its suppliers millions. The company also owes over $192,000 in unpaid state and federal taxes.

In the Politico article, Scozzafava says she has nothing to do with the company, even though she was listed as COO of the company’s investment arm.

Scozzafava accused one of her leading Republican rivals, Matt Doheny, of being responsible for the late wave of attacks against her. Doheny, considered her main competition for the nomination, is an investment banker who has already poured $500,000 of his own money into the campaign.

Wow. If this is how Republicans plan to defend this congressional seat, Democrats will sure take it. And McHugh hasn’t even resigned his seat yet.