John PirnatThey may not be getting a profusion of dollars from the state Democratic Committee, but district 11 Assembly candidates John Pirnat of Brielle and John Napolitani of Interlaken tomorrow will welcome Teamsters President James P. Hoffa to speak on their behalf at a private fund-raising event, according to Pirnat.

Pirnat, the business agent and recording secretary on the executive board of local Teamsters Union 177, is running in part on a platform of jobs training and jobs creation in the hard luck shore towns here.

Anne Evans Estabrook will challenge Frank Lautenberg in the 2008 U.S. Senate raceIt’s official. Anne Evans Estabrook is running for U.S. Senate.

Although she has not yet issued a formal announcement, Estabrook put out a press release today saying that she has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, transforming her exploratory committee into a senatorial campaign. That makes her the first Republican to officially announce against Democratic incumbent Frank Lautenberg in 2008.

Other potential Republican candidates include state Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Jon Bramnick.

In a press release, Estabrook touted her experience as CEO of Elberon Development Co. and as chair of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce to show that, although she’s a political newcomer, she’s ready for the job.

Missing from Friday’s Ledger and Record stories about the failure by the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards to reopen an investigation into Sen. Joseph Coniglio was any mention of earlier promises by leadership to independently review the Legislative Code of Ethics.

BTW, recommendations were promised by June . . . that’s June 2007.

Hey, it’s tough to meet deadlines when constantly being distracted by subpoenas and agents rifling through your files.

The examination has seemingly disappeared into a news Black Hole.