Hoffman doubles down, says election stolen [View All]

By Jordan Fabian - 11/18/09 09:03 PM ET

Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman on Wednesday accused ACORN and union interests of stealing the upstate New York special election that he conceded on Nov. 3.

Hoffman on Monday "unconceded" after recanvassing of votes across the district showed Democratic Rep. Bill Owens' margin of victory narrowing. Hoffman originally conceded after trailing Owens by 5,335 votes, but further counts showed him trailing by 3,176 votes. A recent count of absentee ballots in three counties showed Hoffman still trailing by 2,951.

Until this point Hoffman has said a victory would be a "long shot." Now, Hoffman is accusing liberal groups of unjustly influencing the outcome of the election.

"As evidence surfaces, we find out that reported results from election night were far from accurate. ACORN and the unions did their best to try and sway the results to Obamacare supporter Bill Owens," Hoffman wrote in an internet message to supporters. "Recent developments leave me to wonder who is scheming behind closed doors, twisting arms and stealing elections from the voters of NY-23."

The message asks supporters for donations to "ensure every vote is counted."

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/68543-hoffman-doubles-down-says-election-was-stolen