DICK ZIMMER

For the first time, the full field of three Republican Senate candidates met tonight to debate.

The forum, held at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Madison campus, was moderated by Star-Ledger conservative columnist Paul Mulshine. Candidates Joe Pennacchio, Murray Sabrin and Dick Zimmer spent their time addressing the issues and laying out some stark differences in policy– for the most part, anyway.

A question from former Bergen County Freeholder candidate Deirdre Woodbyrne did spark a heated argument between the two longer standing candidates, Joe Pennacchio and Murray Sabrin.

Woodbyrne asked whether the candidates would pledge to stop making personal attacks on fellow Republicans. Sabrin responded that he would continue to campaign against what he saw as failed party leadership in Trenton.

Pennacchio said that he had issued his own similar clean campaign pledge months ago and kept to it.

“We made it public and we encouraged all candidates to sign that pledge,” he said. “Today none have. And it’s funny, because I was the proud recipient of some of Murray’s promises: distortions, name-calling, because he believes in practicing politics instead of delivering a principled message.”

The Sierra Club today backed Sen. Frank Lautenberg in his reelection bid for the U.S. Senate in both the Democratic primary and the general election.

"It is entirely fitting that today on Earth Day the Sierra Club is endorsing Sen. Lautenberg," Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter, said in a statement, "because there is no stronger advocate for the environment in the United States Senate than Frank Lautenberg."

Lautenberg said he was honored to receive the group's endorsement.