April 7, 2008 - 4:25pm
News

Lautenberg hits Andrews on wife's interim candidacy

Incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg isn’t happy that Camille Andrews has been selected to fill the ballot spot that her husband, Rep. Rob Andrews, is vacating to run a primary against Lautenberg.

“This doesn't pass the smell test -- at all,” said Lautenberg Campaign Manager Brendan Gill in a statement. “New Jersey needs a Senator who will fight on behalf of the people of this state everyday -- not someone who plays games with the voters to protect his local political boss, George Norcross. Like much of the Andrews campaign so far, this latest maneuver demonstrates the old school politics that the voters of New Jersey are sick and tired of."

Camille Andrews will hold the spot while South Jersey Democrats figure out who will replace Rob Andrews in the first congressional district. Whoever the Democrats select will likely have an easy time winning the general election in November, since the district is one of the most Democratic in the state.

Andrews's Chief-of-Staff, Bill Caruso, responded that Lautenberg ought to take a bigger role in his campaign.

"The last time I checked, Senator Lautenberg was running against Congressman Andrews, not his wife," said Caruso. "Its time for the Senator to stop hiding and attacking through his staff and have an open dialogue on the issues. The voters of New Jersey deserve no less."

Matt Friedman is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.