WASHINGTON -The House Republican leader says he regrets that he and other members of his party spent time and money supporting the GOP nominee in a special House election in upstate New York.
The candidate picked by GOP officials in New York's 23rd Congressional District, Dierdre Scozzafava, abruptly dropped out of the race Saturday. She then backed the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens, over Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
Support for Hoffman from prominent Republican conservatives helped to drive Scozzafava out of the race.
On Monday, House Republican leader John Boehner told reporters that he regretted supporting Scozzafava, saying she is clearly out there for herself and has an agenda different from that of most Republicans.
