Albany, NY (LifeNews.com) -- New York voters will participate in an upcoming special election to replace Republican Rep. John McHugh, who accepted an appointment in the Obama administration. However, because the Republican candidate in the contest is not pro-life, several pro-life advocates are lining up behind a third-party candidate.

Polls show pro-abortion GOP Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava leading the race over Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, but not by much.

As a result and because Hoffman is strongly pro-life, he is already receiving support.

Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson jumped in the way with an endorsement for Hoffman, saying he "is a conservative, who understands that life is a precious gift."

An email from his political group FredPAC urged votes for Hoffman from residents of New York's 23rd district and included a link to a page for donations to Hoffman's campaign.

The pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List is also in Hoffman's corner.

“The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is proud to endorse Doug Hoffman for Congress,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the group.

“He will be a passionate advocate for women and the unborn who will reflect the growing pro-life views of his district and the country," she said. "As we face the greatest threat since Roe v. Wade, abortion mandates in health care reform, Congress needs Doug’s pro-life leadership.”

Dannenfelser said she was disappointed that the Republican Party picked a hardcore abortion advocate.

“Dede Scozzafava’s support for the extreme abortion agenda is out of step with New York’s 23rd District," she said. "She already embraced the Planned Parenthood abortion on-demand agenda in the New York State Legislature, and they awarded her their Margaret Sanger Award."

"Dede Scozzafava is an abortion radical who does not represent the views of the growing majority of pro-life American women. The lives of women and their unborn babies are on the line, and the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is ready to defend them at the ballot box in New York and across the country," Dannenfelser continued.

McHugh became Secretary of the Army recently and the special election to replace him will be held on November 3.

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