ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Democrat Bill Owens had an early lead of 51.5 percent in a special Congressional election in northern New York that grabbed national headlines in its final days as it highlighted divisions within the Republican Party.
Owens led with 51.4 percent to Conservative Doug Hoffman's 43.7 percent with just 29 percent of precincts reporting in New York's 23rd House district.
Republican Dierdre Scozzafava (skoh-zuh-FAH'-vuh), who withdrew from the race Saturday, still picked up 4.9 percent of the vote.
That's with 175 out of 606 precincts reporting in the heavily Republican district.
Some Republicans supported Scozzafava, who favors abortion rights and same-sex marriage, and argued the party needs to be more inclusive. Others backing Hoffman say the party should stay true to its conservative roots.
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