Hoffman 'seriously considering' 2010 run

Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who lost the hotly contsted New York special House election, said Thursday that he "seriously considering" another run at the seat next year.

In an interview with the conservative magazine Human Events, Hoffman said the key to returning the district into Republican hands is to hold an open primary.

Hoffman challeneged Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava from the right after conservatives complained that she held too many liberal positions. Conservatives also pointed out that she was selected by less than a dozen party chairmen in the 23rd district as opposed to a primary election.

After Scozzafava dropped out three days before Election Day, Hoffman was shown to have a lead in the polls. But Democratic candidate Bill Owens won the election by a margin of 49 to 47 percent after earning Scozzafava's endorsement. Owens became the first Democrat to represent the district since the mid-19th century.

New York State GOP chairman Ed Cox told the publication he has discussed the issue of open primaries with Hoffman and is open to the idea.

Hoffman credited several national leaders and tea party activists for propelling his upstart campaign.

"They gave our campaign legs," he said.  "And I think when they canvassed and won over voters, they demonstrated we are a not a 'fringe' or 'crazy' movement."

He specifically thanked ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), former Sen. Fred Thompson, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) for backing his campaign.

Hoffman's announcement comes on a day reports surfaced that Owens lead over Hoffman has shrunk by about 2,000 voters after recanvassing. But observers say it is unlikely the result of the election will be overturned.

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