An Independence Party Chair Flips to Hoffman

ALBANY—The chairman of the Jefferson County Independence Party just called to say he's now backing Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party's nominee to replace John McHugh in Congress, even as his party's line will list Republican Dede Scozzafava.

"Dede's been kind of following with the president: the stimulus, and earmarks. If you haven't got any money, how can you give it out?" John Rice, who has been the chairman for over seven years, told me (after talking to Liz). "I'm hoping a lot of the other independent chairs will, I'm not going to say break away, but we should have a voice in who should represent us."

He can't give the party's line to Hoffman--under party rules, the executive committee makes that decision--but said that "with a little publicity, we're going to get a hold of a couple of Independence Party people to hopefully swing them over."

No immediate word from Frank MacKay, the party's state chairman, on Rice's defection.