Debates were the cornerstone of Rob Andrews' Senate campaign, but he's not running for the Senate now
Those who followed the Democratic U.S. Senate primary heard it again and again: U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews complaining that incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg wouldn’t engage him in enough debates.

He got two – both shortly before election day. 

Now, Republican Senate candidate Dick Zimmer is sounding a similar theme, complaining that Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) won’t live up to the standard he set in 1982, when he wanted to debate Republican rival Millicent Fenwick in all 21 counties.

But don’t expect Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) to back up Zimmer on this one. 

“The Congressman supports Senator Lautenberg and has no further comment on the campaign,” said Andrews Chief of Staff Bill Caruso.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- With U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews set to make a decision about his political future this week, Camden County Republican Chairman Rick DeMichele said that 1st District Republican candidate Dale Glading is “prepared and ready to respond.”

“Dale has been running a great campaign, because he’s been running it without an opponent. It’s helped the voters see that he’s focused on them and not a phantom opponent,” said DeMichele. 

Andrews left his ballot spot for reelection to the House to his wife Camille when he decided to mount a primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg.  Although just a placeholder candidate, Camille Andrews easily won that primary.  but Speculation persisted, however, that Rob Andrews to return to the seat, if he lost his primary against Lautenberg. 

It’s tough to get anything on the record about Rep. Rob Andrews’s replacement from Camden County Democrats. 

Sitting in the New Jersey delegation’s front row at the Pepsi Center tonight, Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden) cautioned that the news that Andrews is interviewing with Goldman Sachs still doesn’t mean he’s definitely not running again, despite his own repeated refusal to do so.

“I’m not aware that Congressman Andrews has made a decision.”

1st District congressional candidate Camille Andrews doesn't seem as enthusiastic about debating her opponent as her husband, outgoing Rep. Rob Andrews, was in the Democratic Senate primary against Frank Lautenberg.

Long shot Republican candidate Dale Glading issued a debate challenge to Camille Andrews on June 5th, asking her to respond by Friday, June 13th. But as of yesterday, Glading still hadn’t received a reply from Andrews.

Andrews is running as a placeholder candidate for the seat her husband vacated to run in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. Party leaders are expected to choose a replacement for Andrews before the general election in November. Among the top prospects to replace her are Assemblyman John Burzichelli and state Sen. Dana Redd.

In the 1st congressional district, Democrat Camille Andrews, who’s holding the ballot spot her incumbent husband Rep. Rob Andrews vacated to run for Senate, has raised a little under $30,000.

Andrews has said that she will run a real campaign but will step aside if party leaders want to give the ballot spot to someone else. Insiders say that Andrews will indeed be replaced. Two names that currently surface as prospective replacements are Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli and Assembly Majority Executive Director Bill Castner.

Last month, state Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney downplayed his congressional aspirations to PolitickerNJ.com, and sources say that Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, previously considered a leading contender for the seat, is not interested.

Andrews has raised $29,455 so far and has $20,430 on hand.