Former Republican vice presidential candidate and ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed the conservative third-party candidate in a New York congressional race.

Palin said she supported Doug Hoffman, running as a third-party candidate and backed conservatives against Republican nominee, Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, a moderate who broke party ranks by supporting same-sex marriage and abortion rights, The New York Times reported Friday. Bill Owens is the Democratic nominee.

The traditionally Republican congressional seat in northern New York state came open when former Rep. John McHugh, a Republican, was tapped by President Barack Obama to be U.S. Army secretary. A special election is Nov. 3.

Palin announced her endorsement of Hoffman on her Facebook page, writing, "There is no real difference between the Democrat and the Republican."

"Doug Hoffman has not been anointed by any political machine," she wrote.