............Earlier Sunday, the Jefferson County Republican Party announced it would back Hoffman in Tuesday's election.
Matt Burns, who was Scozzafava's campaign spokesman until she suspended her campaign, said he thought Scozzafava was making a mistake in supporting Owens.
"Dede is entitled to her own opinion, as is everyone, but I obviously disagree with her decision. I am supporting Doug Hoffman, because denying Nancy Pelosi another foot soldier is vital to restoring fiscal responsibility and common sense in Washington," Burns said in an e-mail.
A number of prominent Democrats and White House officials reached out to Scozzafava in the past 24 hours, asking her to endorse Owens.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., had several phone conversations with Scozzafava, an aide confirmed Sunday. Schumer also asked White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to help lobby Scozzafava for her support..................