A divided Republican Party and a heavy push from labor unions helped to lead Democrat Bill Owens to victory in a heavily contested race for the 23rd Congressional District.

Owens defeated Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman by more than 6,000 votes in the 11-county district that includes SUNY Plattsburgh. The special election was held to replace Republican John McHugh, who stepped down to serve as President Obama’s secretary of the army.

Republican Party candidate Dede Scozzafava withdrew late in the race, throwing her support to the Owens campaign and joining NYSUT and other unions in working to defeat Hoffman.

Owens and Scozzafava shared the stage during a candidates’ forum at SUNY Plattsburgh, sponsored by UUP, the college, the Student Assembly and the League of Women Voters. Hoffman declined to participate.

“Education and education funding is extremely important,” Owens said. “The return on money spent on education is almost immeasurable.”

— Karen L. Mattison