The point is that the Republican candidate was chosen by the elite in the party, not the actual voters. You can see how the voters feel about having the "Republican Power Structure" dictate to them who their candidates are, and that they should be happy to vote for someone just because they have an "R" next to their name. It appears Hoffman will win and that's because he is representing the views of the actual voters.
Major respected Republicans are backing him, he IS the republican candidate. Hoffman is a republican. He had to choose Conservative Party because naturally, the republican spot was already used up. His only option to run would be as a third party.
Maybe this article will shed some light for those who are interested:
The complete list of Hoffman endorsers is a long one, and seems to include nearly every Republican except Newt Gingrich and Dede Scozzafava, the later of whom is Hoffman's opponent, and the former her only prominent supporter. According to the two most recent polls, the liberal Republican Scozzafava is now in third place, while Hoffman has pulled ahead of Democrat Bill Owens. The American Spectator : NY23: 'Do You Believe in Miracles'?