Dede Scozzafava, the GOP nominee in a key upcoming House special election, is running dangerously low on campaign cash, according to several GOP sources familiar with her spending and fundraising.

While Scozzafava’s official fundraising numbers will not be known until next Thursday, the third-quarter Federal Election Commission reporting deadline, the GOP sources acknowledged to POLITICO that she’s unable to compete financially with her two opponents.

Scozzafava supporters blame her cash crunch on the Washington Republican establishment, which they contend has not embraced her campaign enthusiastically. They specifically point to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, whose committee has been virtually absent from the race and hasn’t yet donated any money, with just weeks to go before the Nov. 3 special election.

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Here’s the letter from National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund Charmian Chris Cox:

Dear Assemblywoman Scozzafava:

On behalf of our four million members, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund is proud to endorse your candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the special election in New York’s 23rd congressional district.

During your tenure in the New York Assembly, you have been a strong and consistent supporter of the Second Amendment. You are the only candidate in this special congressional election with a solid pro-gun legislative record.

As you know, the Second Amendment and our hunting heritage are very important to New Yorkers, and your positions on these issues demonstrate a solid commitment to the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen.

Based on your tested and proven record in the New York Assembly, as well as your responses to our federal candidate questionnaire, you have earned an “A” rating from the NRAPVF. On November 3, we urge our members, gun owners and sportsmen in New York’s 23rd congressional district to vote for you for Congress.

Good luck and we look forward to our continued relationship.

Sincerely,
Chris W. Cox
Chairman

Her campaign released this statement: “Mr. William Scozzafava, father of Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, was admitted to Upstate Medical Center University Hospital with chest pains and is scheduled to undergo bypass surgery sometime today.”

“Dede is en-route to the hospital to be with her father and any campaign related activities are on hold. Dede and her family appreciate the thoughts and prayers of so many during this difficult time.”

New York Republican party will support a North Country lawmaker in the special election for the 23rd Congressional District seat long held by Rep. John McHugh.

McHugh was nominated to be President Barack Obama’s secretary of the Army but has not yet been confirmed.

The state’s GOP is throwing its support behind Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava of Jefferson County, who represents four counties in the heavily Republican 23 Congressional District.

The vast, rural district includes the state’s only active Army post and also includes the Adirondack Mountains and Thousand Islands regions of New York.

State GOP leaders say Scozzafava was selected from a field of nine candidates.

Gov. David Paterson has not scheduled a special election for the seat.

Source: Newsday