CHESTERTOWN—Now there are 10.
Mike Oot, an attorney from Munnsville, will withdraw from consideration today for the Democratic nomination to replace John McHugh in Congress. Oot informed some of the 11 county chairs of his decision, two of them said, and will formally end his bid in person today at a conference center in Blue Mountain Lake. The 11 county chairs are set to meet there today to interview potential candidates and pick one.
According to Sean Hennessey, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Committee, there will be two rounds of interviews for the nomination. A decision is expected by this evening.
Republicans have designated Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava as their candidate for the seat; Conservatives have picked Doug Hoffman.
McHugh has not yet resigned from his seat—he is expected to become secretary of the Army, pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate—and a special election is expected to be called by David Paterson for the same day as the general election in November.
