(AP) -- President Barack Obama attended a fundraiser in New York City in support of the Democratic candidate for New York's 23rd Congressional District seat.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says Obama's support of Bill Owens is the first fundraiser the president will headline for a non-incumbent House candidate.

Owens' campaign refused to say how much money was raised or who attended the event.

Owens is running against Republican Assemblywoman Dierde Scozzafava and Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman for the seat in the 23rd district, which includes all or part of 11 counties in New York's rural north.

Republican Rep. John McHugh vacated the seat last month to become secretary of the Army. The special election is Nov. 3.

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