Dede Scozzafava spent months campaigning as the Republican candidate for the 23rd Congressional District.

During that time, she faced criticism for her stance on same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

Called a liberal, she lost ground to Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman.

The money wasn't there to battle Hoffman and the Democractic candidate's campaign war chests.

Ultimately, Scozzafava had to make the tough decision to bow out of the race just days before the election.

Then, she says the Republican Party betrayed her.

"The RNC (Republican National Committee), three hours after I dropped out of the race, had opened their checkbook to the Hoffman campaign. That stung a little bit. I think that said it all in the end," she said.

Scozzafava says people wouldn't believe the attacks and abuse she faced during her last few weeks of campaigning.

She says she was called a "child killer" and "rhino" and harassed about her weight and appearance. 

"There were pieces of mail that said that I was a homosexual lover. There were people...insuating that somehow I was a lesbian," she said.

So what does she think that means for the fate of the Republican party?

"If the type of hatred and the name-calling and the lies and innuendo is the soul of our party, all is not well," she said.

The big decision came when Scozzafava decided to back the Democratic candidate and winner Bill Owens - not a decision she took lightly.

"When family members went into the poll, they wanted to vote for me and I just told them, 'don't'," she said.

In the end, even without the support of local Republicans, Scozzafava says she made the right decision.

"The local people that supported me, I know they were there for my candidacy. I'm sorry if they think I betrayed them in the end," she said.

Now the question everyone wants to know is:  will Scozzafava become a Democrat?

She is hoping it doesn't come to that and hopes there's still room for her in the Republican Party.

Scozzafava is still a member of the state assembly.

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