In a statement responding to the news that NY-26 Republican nominee Jane Corwin had donated $1,000 to the campaign of liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava in the NY-23rd Congressional District, Conservative Party chairman Mike Long asserted that Corwin still "has the leg up on the [Conservative Party] endorsement because she has the second most conservative voting record in the state legislature."
However, in a 2008 questionnaire, Corwin identified herself as supporting a number of moderate positions, including abortion, comprehensive sex education, and state-funded stem cell research.
The questionnaire, which is produced by the non-profit, non-partisan group Project Vote Smart and sent to state and federal candidates across the country, investigates candidates' views on a wide variety of basic social and economic issues. While filling out the "Political Courage Test," Corwin indicated support for abortion within the first trimester (which covers approximately 91% of all abortions in the United States), as well as in cases involving rape, incest, or the life of the mother, and no support for a mandatory waiting period for abortions.
When asked "Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?" Corwin answered yes; the subsequent question, which asked about support for "abstinence only" sex-ed programs, received a "no" response. Corwin also indicated support for state funding of stem cell research, and when asked about state funding of embryonic stem cell research, Corwin answered "undecided."
Corwin's positions on the questionnaire also include some items likely to anger fiscal conservatives, such as supporting subsidies for the production of green bio-fuels, using state money to clean up "brownfield" industrial sites for redevelopment, and providing vocational training and job placement services to state prisoners.
Currently, Corwin hasn't commented on her previous record or what views she may still hold, except to tout her opposition to "partial birth" abortion in response to complaints about her previous pro-choice stance.