WATERTOWN -- A new campaign ad is digging up some old dirt on the Republican candidate in the race for the 23rd Congressional District.
Matt Doheny was twice charged with boating while intoxicated in the summer of 2004. Now, the Democratic party is using the incidents against him. The ad brings to light charges that Doheny was driving his boat in Alexandria Bay, after having too much to drink. Doheny was reportedly belligerent the first time, refused a sobriety test and was handcuffed before being released. The second time he was cooperative and registered a blood alcohol content of .096. He ended up paying two fines totaling $2,500.
Doheny says he has repeatedly apologized for the incidents. His campaign issued a statement, criticizing his Democratic challenger Bill Owens of using what they called "smear tactics." In the statement Doheny spokesperson Alison Power accused Owen's campaign of reaching a new low. "The level of the Democrats' desperation to hang on to this Congressional seat is matched only by the vitriol--and dollars--coming from the Democratic Congressional Committee and the Owens campaign."
CNYCentral contacted Owens campaign for a response. Owen's spokesperson Clay Schroers responded with the following statement; "This is not our ad. We are focussed on getting Bill's ideas for growing jobs and improving the economy in Upstate New York to the voters of the district."
