The Republican leadership from the 23rd Congressional district met Wednesday afternoon in Potsdam, picking Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava to run for the seat.

Nine term Republican Congressman John McHugh is leaving the 23rd before his term is up, because President Obama has tapped him to be Secretary of The Army.

An official announcement was made Wednesday evening, with Scozzafava present.

First word of the Scozzafava selection came from rival candidate Matt Doheny, who congratulated her in a statement issued just after 6 pm.

"It is important for the party and our communities across the district that we keep this Congressional seat in Republican hands.  I plan on working hard for DeDe to do just that,” said Doheny.

Going into Wednesday's meeting, Scozzafavahad the critical support of the Jefferson and St. Lawrence county Republican committees.

Doheny was reported to have the backing of the other critical county, Oswego. Representatives of the Owsego County Republican party left the meeting about 40 minutes before it ended.

Although there are 11 counties in the 23rd, the balance of power lies along the Oswego-Jefferson-St. Lawrence axis.

The Republican decision comes as the first GOP ads attacking likely Democratic candidate Darrel Aubertine are hitting the airwaves.