WATERTOWN, NY - After a hotly contested race in 23rd Congressional District last year, Republican Accountant, Doug Hoffman, announced Monday that he will again run for Congress. Hoffman, who owns thirteen businesses, made his candidacy known today in the form of a letter on his campaign Web site.

During an interview Tuesday with the Gouverneur Times, Hoffman admits "I've been campaigning behind the scenes."

Hoffman's candidacy letter seems to support his statement. "Back in January I commissioned a poll. The results were encouraging. The poll showed that 74% of Republicans who vote in primaries thought I should run again. 71% thought I could win back the congressional seat in next November’s election. But, perhaps more importantly, the vast majority of Republicans said they would cast their vote for me in a Republican primary," Hoffman writes.

"I'm the only candidate who can unite Republicans, Conservatives and Independents," Hoffman proclaims.

One local Independent, Watertown Mayor Jeffrey Graham, seems to have more concerns about Hoffman's candidacy since being interviewed by the Gouverneur Times Monday night. "I really don't have a comment at this time, but it's certainly expected," Graham said.

Graham posted on his blog, Mayor Graham's View, Tuesday, "Hoffman also lives outside the district...something that will be an issue this time and he needs work on presentation."

When asked about the residency issue, Hoffman tells the Gouverneur Times, "Lake Placid was always part of the 23rd Congressional District until 2002."

Hoffman, whose current Lake Placid residence is in the 20th Congressional District says, "I made a purchase on a home in Saranac Lake that is expected to close in three to four weeks." The candidate says he plans on residing in that home full time.

Saranac Lake, situated in the 23rd Congressional District, is Hoffman's hometown.

Hoffman ended by saying, "We're going to go out and earn the votes for all those parties and groups."