Is NY-23 the first time in US history that a Republican dropped out of a race and...

[Eric J in MN]

...endorsed the Democrat for that race?

[Old and In the Way]

1. I can't think of another time when that's occurred...but it may not be the last

as conservative teabaggers yank the GOP hard to Starboard....the 2010 primaries could be really interesting.

[Posteritatis]

2. Almost certainly not. (nt)

[NYC_SKP]

3. Don't know. But I CAN name a senate race in which a Progressive Republican lost to a Teabagging Dem

Back in 1988

In a Northeastern State.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6921988&mesg_id=6922146

:patriot:

[tblue]

4. We should send her a thank you. She stood up to Barracuda and bested her.

Made Ice Mama look like The Thing That Wouldn't Leave. This is gonna do wonders for her book sales!!! Lol!

[Eric J in MN]

5. What are other cases of a general election candidate...

...dropping out, regardless of endorsements?

[47of74]

6. The closest thing I can think of

The closest thing I can think of off hand is in Louisiana back in 1990 when David Duke tried to run as a Republican for the Senate Seat that was held by Bennett Johnston, Jr. That went over like a lead balloon with the national party, who endorsed Johnston after it became clear that their preferred candidate - Ben Bagert - would not be able to win the election. Senator Danforth and a number of other Republicans endorsed publicly Johnston. Even then it was a different GOP than today and I doubt they would have the intestinal fortitude to put their country ahead of having another R in the Senate.