In 2009, Congressman Gingrich supported a candidate for a special election for the 23rd district in New York that was pro-choice, pro gay marriage and supportive of numerous other items that most Republicans opposes. A more conservative candidate was available, but did not win a primary that consisted of a vote by 11 district members and not a public vote.
Congressman Gingrich came out in suppport for Mrs Scozzafava as she was the selected candidate for the Republican party. He asserted that many of her principles were in line with the Republican party. He appeared on numerous radio shows to defend his support for her.
As the special election neared, Mrs Scozzafava was trailing the Conservative Party candidate Hoffman. She dropped out of the race to prevent from splitting the vote, but threw her support behind the Democrat instead of the Conservative.
After the election, Congressman Gingrich stated that the Scozzafava candidacy was indeed a mistake that never should have happened. He dedicates a portion of his 2012 campaign website to his endorsement of Dede Scozzafava and states again that it was a mistake. He asserts that he will always support the Republican nominee over a third party, but that Scozzafava was not selected by voters and he should have considered that when giving his support.
Statement of Support for Scozzafava
On October 16, 2009 Congressman Gingrich issued a statement declaring that he would be supporting the Republican party candidate Dede Scozzafava over the lesser known Conservative party candidate Scott Hoffman.
The special election for the 23rd Congressional District is an important test leading up to the mid-term 2010 elections. Our best chance to put responsible and principled leaders in Washington starts here, with Dede Scozzafava.
The Republican Revolution in 1994 started very much like what we see today. Like then, our country is reeling from misguided liberal policies, high taxes and out-of-control spending. This special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District could be the first election of the new Republican Revolution, but we need the momentum to get it started.
Laura Ingraham Show
On October 22, 2009 Congressman Gingrich appeared on the Laura Ingraham show and spoke about his support for Mrs Scozzafava.
Book Signing
Congressman Gingrich was confronted at a book signing concerning his support for Dede Scozzafava. He responded by noting that she was the nominee picked by the local representatives, and that she supported a number of conservative ideals and principles.
Hannity Appearance
On November 4, 2009 Congressman Gingrich appeared on the Hannity show and recanted his support for Dede Scozzafava and said that it had been a mistake, that she was the wrong nominee, and that he wished that the people that selected her had not done so.
... I think that the entire Scozzafava candidacy was a mistake. I regret deeply that she was chosen by the eleven county chairs. It's clear that in New York state, Republicans have to get in the habit of coordinating with Mike Long and the conservatives, and that they're not gonna win any seats where they don't have a coordinated effort with the conservative party. That's just an objective fact. I deeply regret that we got into that kind of a mess.
As a long term party leader who helped in 1980 with Reagan and in 1994 with the Contract with America, I find it very hard to over rule eleven county chairmen who unanimously voted for her.
I think the nomination was a mistake. I wish that we had gotten involved earlier, and if we had, I would have done everything in my power to make sure that she had not been picked.
2012 Campaign Website Statements
Dede Scozzafava Endorsement
Newt has admitted it was a mistake to back Dede Scozzafava, the Republican nominee in the 2009 NY-23 special election.
Whether it was helping to build the Republican Party of Georgia back when Democrats controlled the entire state or leading the nationwide effort in 1994 to break 40 years of Democratic rule in the House, Newt has always tried to advance the cause of a truly conservative Republican party. This has always meant supporting the most conservative nominee possible as selected by Republican primary voters.
Therefore, Newt will almost always back the nominee of the Republican party and not back an independent candidate in a race against a Democratic candidate.
Newt still believes in this principle, however, he has admitted it was a mistake to back Dede Scozzafava, the Republican nominee in the 2009 NY-23 special election. Although she was the Republican nominee, the problem was that Republican primary voters did not pick her, the local party leaders did, otherwise her liberal views would have prevented her from becoming the nominee. The Conservative Party candidate whom Scozzafava was running against, Doug Hoffman, recently remarked about Newt's endorsement of his rival, "I would advise other conservative republicans: Don't hold this against him."
