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Scozzafava, a longtime state Assemblywoman who started the race in the lead, was in second last week to Owens with 30 percent of the vote while Hoffman trailed in third at 23 percent. In just seven days the two have essentially swapped places, though the movement towards Hoffman has been building for some time.

Over the past month, national conservative groups have mounted an aggressive campaign in his behalf, going after Scozzafava as a liberal masquerading as a Republican because of her support for abortion rights, gay marriage and organized labor, among other stances.

The Republican party continues to stand behind Scozzafava, but the shift in momentum towards Hoffman prompted defections from a number of Republican Members this week. The latest are Reps. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., Todd Akin R-Mo., Paul Broun, R-Ga., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., John C. Fleming, R-La., Steve King, R-Iowa, Tom McClintock, R-Calif., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., John Shadegg, R-Ariz., Mark Sounder, R-Ind., and Trent Franks R-Ariz.

Franks sent out an e-mail Thursday saying that while he "traditionally never supported third party candidates" he is making an exception in the 23rd District race because Scozzafava is "radically out of the mainstream on issues that constitute the core of the Republican Party's principles."

The hammering from the right as well as the left has taken a toll on Scozzafava's popularity -- 46 percent of likely voters now have an unfavorable opinion of her, 22 percent very unfavorable. Thirty-two percent hold a favorable opinion of the Republican nominee and 22 percent have no opinion.

Neither Hoffman nor Owens are particularly well known -- nearly 40 percent of respondents do not have an opinion of either man -- but both enjoy net favorable ratings.

Hoffman now leads amongst both Republican and independent voters. Forty-one percent of GOP respondents said they are backing the Conservative Party nominee, compared to 34 percent for Scozzafava. Scozzafava led 46 to 27 among those voters in last week's poll.

Hoffman is up 47 percent to 28 percent for Owens among independents, also a jump from last week when Owens and Hoffman were essentially splitting that vote. And Owens has solidified his grasp on Democratic voters, with 64 percent of the vote, dashing the Scozzafava camp's hopes of peeling away a significant portion of Democrats thanks to her social positions.

Abortion rights groups are hoping to change that in the next few days -- NARAL Pro-Choice New York just launched a campaign in Scozzafav's behalf that includes mail to more than 10,000 households and volunteer phone banking "highlighting Scozzafava's many pro-choice, pro-active votes in the State Assembly and her distinction as the only 100% pro-choice candidate in the race."

But the key battle at this point is likely to be over moderate Republicans and independents and whether Owens can woo Scozzafava's remaining backers in high enough numbers to hold off the Hoffman surge.