More Help For Hoffman

The Club for Growth will start airing its second ad for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd district special election, which has become the hottest off-year race in the country as conservatives have flocked to support Hoffman over GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava in their three-way contest with Democrat Bill Owens.

The Club launched its first ad for Hoffman last week, comparing him to the Republican Scozzafava; the new ad seeks to marginalize Scozzafava, asserting that the race "comes down to two very different candidates"--Hoffman and Owens.

The Club commissioned a poll, released yesterday, showing Hoffman in the lead with 31 percent support. A Research 2000/Daily Kos poll released Friday showed Hoffman in third with 27 percent.

All told, the Club for Growth has spent roughly $593,000 on TV, radio, and mail in support of Hoffman, plus bundled donations over $330,000, according to an official with the group.