Not that Bill Owens -- the other Bill Owens!

Just heard from a sharp-eyed viewer who saw a familiar face on the Today show this morning -- one who had no business being there. Political reporter Chuck Todd was discussing a New York state congressional election taking place today, which pits a Democrat named Bill Owens against Doug Hoffman, a candidate for the Conservative Party. Problem is, the photo of Bill Owens that popped up featured a different guy entirely -- the one who was twice elected Colorado's governor. As a Republican.

No, they aren't related -- either by blood or ideology.

Update, 12:10 p.m.: A short time ago, Colorado's Bill Owens sat down with Channel 9's Adam Schrager to discuss (and joke about) that New York-based Bill Owens, and the confusion between them. Here's what he had to say:

"I wondered when I saw my own picture, I said, 'Why the hell would I want to be a congressman from update New York when I've been governor of Colorado... A lot of my friends around the country have been e-mailing and texting me wondering, 'Did you move?' 'Have you lost your mind?' The answer's no to all those things.

"It's something to laugh at. The more I've been seeing this impostor named Bill Owens I've been wondering when somebody would make that mistake... I'm not seeking any more publicity or notoriety, so for a number of reasons, I'm hoping Bill Owens loses this election."