No one in the gun violence prevention movement has any illusions about the ultimate winner of the special Congressional election in the conservative NY-23 district somehow becoming a champion for our cause.

Yet as we now know, Republican nominee Dede Scozzafava — the NRA’s endorsed candidate — has dropped out of that race.

The most recent Siena poll put her in a distant third.

Many observers, however, raised expectations for the NRA endorsement in this right-wing bloodbath.

Stu Rothenberg said that notwithstanding her moderate stances on some issues:

[Scozzafava] received the endorsement from the National Rifle Association, and it could be important in fashioning her appeal to right-wing voters in the district.

Newt Gingrich said:

I endorsed the Republican who has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association….

Even the UK’s Telegraph, covering the high-profile race, reported:

She has the backing of the powerful National Rifle Association….

Yet without a vote being cast, the “powerful” National Rifle Association has already failed to elect an endorsed candidate for office in this election cycle — in a conservative district where one would think their endorsement means the most.