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PLATTSBURGH — Republican Party leaders in the 23rd Congressional District have chosen St. Lawrence County Assemblywoman Dierdre "Dede" Scozzafava as their candidate to replace John McHugh.
"I am very pleased with this decision. I think Dede Scozzafava will make an excellent Congresswoman," Clinton County Republican Party Chairwoman and fellow Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said.
"My only regret is that I will miss her in Albany."
McHugh, the Republican congressman from Pierrepont Manor near Watertown, has served since 1993.
He was recently selected by President Barack Obama to be the new Secretary of the Army.
Confirmation of his appointment is expected to happen next month or possibly early September.
Leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties have been sorting through potential candidates since the president's selection of McHugh.
Scozzafava was chosen at a meeting Wednesday afternoon in Potsdam of the 11 county chairs of the GOP.
The assemblywoman from Gouverneur was one of nine candidates that was actively seeking the nod.
"I am excited and honored to be chosen from a field of nine wonderful candidates and to have the confidence of all 11 of the county chairs," Scozzafava said.
"My job now is to get out there, get the wind in my sails and start meeting people."
All of the candidates recently participated in a series of forums across the district to discuss their views with party leaders.
Scozzafava was considered a leading candidate from the outset, but outsider Matt Doheny, an investment banker from New York City who grew up in the district and owns a home there, also drew a lot of attention.
In the end, Scozzafava was unanimously chosen despite concerns that she might be too liberal for a Republican candidate.
"Our voting records are very similar, and I consider myself a good Republican," Duprey said.
"She is fiscally conservative, and I think this is an example of the Republican Party being progressive and open to everybody."
Duprey said Scozzafava has a proven record for supporting less government and less taxes, and helping small businesses.
"I think those views fall under the template of Republican," Duprey said.
The 23rd District is the largest geographically east of the Mississippi River. Scozzafava said she will operate a grassroots campaign that will cover the entire district.
"I like getting out and meeting the people because that is what this campaign is all about; the people of the North Country."
Republicans have held the seat since the Civil War era, but some observers believe that Democrats might finally have a chance to win.
Scozzafava disagrees.
"I think we've gotten over that hump," she said.
"People are concerned about some of the policies they've seen and are concerned about increased taxes and spending and property taxes."
Democrats are expected to pick their candidate around Aug. 11.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
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