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April 6, 2010

Paul Maroun withdraws from Congress race

By JOE LOTEMPLIO

TUPPER LAKE — Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun has dropped out of the race for the 23rd Congressional District seat, leaving two contenders for the Republican nod.

Maroun said he is not fully recovered from recent neck and back surgery.

“Although my surgery has been successful, I am not at 100 percent yet. I will be eventually but not in time to carry out the task of a tough Republican primary schedule from now to September.

“I look forward to supporting the winner of the Republican primary so that we have a real representative of the 23rd Congressional District rather than a liberal clone for Nancy Pelosi.”



TWO LEFT

Maroun’s departure from the race leaves as candidates investor Matt Doheny, a native of Alexandria Bay who now lives in Watertown, and Douglas Hoffman, who owns an accounting firm with locations throughout the district. Hoffman is a native of Saranac Lake who lives in Lake Placid but is soon moving back to Saranac Lake.

Both are seeking to take on incumbent Democrat Bill Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney who won the seat in a special election last year after Congressman John McHugh, a Republican, resigned to become the new secretary of the Army, a post he was chosen for by President Barack Obama.

Owens narrowly defeated Hoffman, who ran as the Conservative Party candidate.

Republicans put up St. Lawrence County Assemblywoman Dierdre “Dede” Scozzafava as their candidate, but her campaign fizzled amidst complaints from Republicans who thought her support for gay marriage and abortion rights were too liberal. She withdrew from the race.



DECISION BY PRIMARY

Maroun, Doheny and Hoffman were among the nine candidates who sought the Republican nod last summer.

This year, the GOP candidate will be chosen in a primary instead of by the party chairs of the 11 counties in the district.

Both Doheny and Hoffman said Maroun is a strong public servant.

“Paul Maroun is a great asset to Franklin County and the North Country,” Hoffman said. “His service as a Franklin County legislator, his work on the staff of State Sen. Betty Little and his involvement in the Republican Party have been invaluable to those living in the eastern portion of the 23rd Congressional District.

“As the congressional race progresses, I will seek out his advice and counsel on a wide variety of issues, and hopefully I will earn his backing and support. With a united Republican and Conservative parties, we will defeat Bill Owens in November.”

Hoffman said recently that if he does not win the Republican primary, he plans to run as the Conservative Party candidate again.

Doheny said Maroun has become a good friend to him.

“As a Franklin County legislator, he remains a great advocate for the people of the North Country.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeking his counsel in my bid for congress.”

Owens said Maroun’s departure will not change his approach.

“I’m still doing what I have to do, and I am meeting with small businesses and finding ways to create jobs.”



E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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