Linda Stender at a 2006 rally with former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Bob Menendez: Getty Images Photo
Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan moved quickly to eliminate any possible primary opposition to Linda Stender in the 7th district congressional race, saying she is the "right candidate" to seek the open seat next year.

"We should thank Congressman Ferguson for his service and wish him well in his political retirement," Cryan said in a statement.

"I also want to strongly reaffirm the confidence Democrats have in Linda Stender and her ability to defeat any Republican who replaces Mr Ferguson on the ballot. She is the right candidate for the Democratic Party and the right person to represent the people of the 7th Congressional District."

If Jon Bramnick is talking about running, it could mean Tom Kean, Jr. has already decided not toAssemblyman Jon Bramnick was set to make a decision on whether he would run for U.S. Senate as early as this week. But now, with the announcement that Mike Ferguson will not seek re-election to Congress in 2008, Bramnick appears to have his sights set on that seat

“It’s hard to pass up an opportunity like this,” said Bramnick, who said he'll make a decision on whether or not to go for it tomorrow morning.

Bramnick said that he has received communications from within the party this morning via email and telephone asking him to run.

“I can’t understand why Ferguson is not running,” said Bramnick.

Mike Ferguson’s decision to leave Congress was based entirely on his desire to spend time with his wife and four young children and had nothing to do with politics, says his longtime political consultant, Larry Weitzner.

“There weren’t any political considerations in this whatsoever – it was just really a matter of him wanting to spend more time with his family – it’s a very young family,” said Weitzner, who has worked for Ferguson since his first race for Congress, against Rep. Frank Pallone in 1998. “He got into politics for the right reasons and now he’s leaving for the right reasons –he’s dedicated to service and he’s also dedicated to his family. With young children, he just felt conflicted all the time, traveling back and forth and not being able to go to his kids' soccer games.”