Tom Fitzsimmons becomes the first Republican campaign manager in ten years to oust an incumbent Democratic State Senator with Jennifer Beck’s defeat of Ellen Karcher. The last one was Michael DuHaime, who managed Anthony Bucco’s campaign against Gordon MacInnes in 1997. DuHaime is now the National Campaign Manager of Rudy Giuliani’s White House bid.
Ironically, Beck received a boost last week when Giuliani came to Monmouth County to speak at a Beck rally. And yes, it’s true: it’s been ten years since New Jersey Republicans ousted a sitting Democratic State Senator.
Another Rudy connection: the highly-regarded Steve Quain, who managed Bill Baroni's massive 63% win in the politically competitive14th district State Senate race, is headed to New Hampshire -- perhaps as early as tonight -- to work on the Giuliani campaign. This unites him with his former boss, Bill Stepien, the Giuliani National Field Director -- and the Campaign Manager of Baroni's 2003 upset of Democratic Assemblyman Gary Guear.
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Yes, I know, I know.
Since it’s Thanksgiving week, I decided that no one could really be a Putz of the Week this week. So, I decided ... >
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >