Question:
I know it is not your district, but what is your position, if any, on the house race in the 23rd Congressional District of New York? Given that you seek to represent the 3rd District in Congress, I would be interested in knowing if you have a preference on who you'd like your colleague to be. -- Mary Ann

Patricia's Answer:
Dear Mary Ann,

Thanks so much for this question. The special election in New York's 23rd District certainly has the attention of the nation at the moment. Though tucked away in upstate New York, it is an important election because it is highlighting the larger debate we are having about which direction our country should go.

It is also a very special case because it is a special election. In most elections, the voters from each party primary select their nominee, and then two candidates emerge for the general election. In this case, party officers selected the nominees.

The Democrats, expectedly, chose a liberal in Bill Owens. Unfortunately, the Republicans also chose a liberal in DeDe Scozzafava, whose positions on issues are largely in line with Democrats on everything from “card check” to social issues to supporting the trillion dollar stimulus package. I could go into more detail, but this isn't the case of a candidate being a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. She is a fiscal and social liberal.

This has allowed a rare “formidable” third candidate to emerge -- conservative Doug Hoffman, who stands in support of the principles we are all fighting for. As a result, he has earned the endorsement of several respected organizations and figures at the forefront of the conservative movement – such as Club for Growth, Concerned Women of America, Fred Thompson, and Sarah Palin, and Michele Bachmann, among others.

Here is my take:

I believe that in order for Republicans to have long term success, the term "Republican" must be defined by a belief in certain core principles and ideas. If it doesn’t, the label is meaningless – and we lose our identity – not to mention elections – in the process.

That doesn’t mean we have to be lockstep on every issue, but as the old line goes – if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything – and that is particularly true in politics. We achieve nothing if we elect Republicans who will fall for most of what the Democrats propose.

As you know, I’ve been fighting for conservative principles here in the 3rd District of Kansas in my campaign for Congress against Dennis Moore – such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, economic freedom, and individual liberty. In order to be successful, we need as many representatives in Washington who share these core beliefs as we debate the issues of health care reform, the size and scope of government, tax policy, and the many other issues before us today.

In the 23rd District of New York, the only candidate who will stand up for conservative principles is Doug Hoffman.

So for me, the choice is easy -- I stand with him.

Sincerely,

Patricia Lightner