Doug Hoffman, a certified public accountant, said Tuesday the timing is perfect for him to declare his candidacy for the 23rd Congressional District seat.

"I've been doing tax returns as a CPA for the last several weeks and I can tell you that people are in despair when I tell them how much they owe in taxes," said Hoffman.

Monday night, Hoffman officially announced his candidacy in an email to media and supporters.

Tuesday afternoon, the Lake Placid Republican met with reporters at the Black River Valley Club in Watertown.

He said he plans to work to get his message out and raise campaign funds between now and November.

Hoffman (pictured on the right) said his campaign will focus heavily on creating jobs, improving the economy and lowering taxes.

"I'm not a rock star. I'm not a fast-talking politician. But, I'm a real person that's going to work hard for the real people in the 23rd District," he said.

Hoffman became a political star of sorts last year when he ran for the seat in a special election to fill the void left by Republican John McHugh, who was tapped to become Secretary of the Army.

Although Hoffman failed to receive the Republican endorsement, he ran on the Conservative Party line and attracted endorsements from high-profile Republicans like former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, former New York Governor George Pataki and former presidential candidate Fred Thompson.

The support he received prompted the GOP candidate, state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava (R. - 122nd District), to withdraw from the race days before the election.

She endorsed Democrat Bill Owens, who won the race.

This November, Hoffman will challenge Owens again.

He could also face off against at least three other potential challengers for the Republican ticket.

State Assemblyman Will Barclay (R. - 124th District) of Oswego County, Alexandria Bay investment banker Matt Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun are said to be considering running for the seat.

Doheny (pictured on the left) said he plans to formally announce his candidacy in the near future.

7 News reporter John Moore asked Hoffman if he planned a third-party race should he lose a Republican primary.

"That's a hypothetical question. We have to look at where we are right now. Last November, I did get 70,000 votes on the Conservative line.  We know there's only 5,000 registered Conservatives in this district so most of those votes came from Republicans.  I'm going to work hard to get those Republicans to vote for me again in the primary," said Hoffman.

While Hoffman declined to say if he'd consider a third-party campaign, Doheny went on record about the subject.

"Whoever the Republican nominee is through the primary process, A, I will support that person and, B, equally, if not more important, not run on a third-party line," said Doheny.

Doheny and Hoffman said they would also participate in debates if there's a primary.

Share Your Thoughts for Your Turn