With Election Day weeks away, the race for the 23rd Congressional District seat is heating up. The three way race to fill the open seat has been dubbed a referendum on President Obama's policies by some and a fight for the heart or mind of the Republican Party by others. But one thing is sure, it has become increasingly interesting as we approach Election Day. With more on the twists and turns of the election, we turn to our Michael Whittemore.

NEW YORK STATE -- Ever since she was picked to be the Republican party's nominee, Dede Scozzafava has faced growing criticism from conservatives who can't support her position on abortion, gay marriage and on tax issues. Now, those attacks are coming on the national stage.

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal editorial board blasted the GOP for backing Scozzafava, suggesting the party deserves to lose the seat. Meanwhile, Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman continued his national media blitz, appearing on Glenn Beck's Conservative talk radio show Wednesday and campaigning on Thursday with former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

Meanwhile, Scozzafava has stuck to a grass roots approach. On Wednesday, she held news conferences in front of both Hoffman's campaign headquarters and Democrat Bill Owens', where she challenged her opponents to hold more debates and also addressed the increasing attacks on her record.

"My record stands for itself. I have voted with republican leadership 95 percent of the time. I am fiscally conservative. I'm conservative on a lot of issues. So I'm not quite sure why certain parties choose to do what they do, I can't control the decisions they're making or what they're saying. All I can do is defend who I am. My record," Scozzafava said.

Democratic frontrunner Bill Owens has his own problem. The dairy industry is up in arms over his new ad, which they say rips off their famous trademark. Owens' camp says the ad is a parody, but the dairy industry doesn't agree. The California Milk Processor Board, which owns the rights to the icon, have filed a cease and desist order to get the ad pulled. The dispute has also created a political problem for Owens with some industry groups who take issue with his claims of price gouging.

With two weeks until Election Day and all three candidates within 10 points of each other in recent polls, this race really is wide open.

Meanwhile, all the candidates have been invited to a debate in Syracuse on Monday, but we're told Owens has declined. Hoffman and Scozzafava have both accepted, but an open invitation remains for Owens.