With Andrews set to make a decision, Republicans wait to find out who they're running against

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- With U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews set to make a decision about his political future this week, Camden County Republican Chairman Rick DeMichele said that 1st District Republican candidate Dale Glading is “prepared and ready to respond.”

“Dale has been running a great campaign, because he’s been running it without an opponent. It’s helped the voters see that he’s focused on them and not a phantom opponent,” said DeMichele. 

Andrews left his ballot spot for reelection to the House to his wife Camille when he decided to mount a primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg.  Although just a placeholder candidate, Camille Andrews easily won that primary.  but Speculation persisted, however, that Rob Andrews to return to the seat, if he lost his primary against Lautenberg. 

Since losing, Andrews has maintained that he would give up his, and last month it was revealed that he was in job negotiations with Goldman Sachs.  But South Jersey Democrats last week said that Andrews was still considering returning to the seat, and when asked by reporters he said he would address the issue this week. 

“I think it would be typical Washington politics.  He promised and he’s been asked numerous times about this, and he’s consistently said that he’s not going back to congress, that he’s retiring,” said DeMichele.  “Unfortunately for the voters in the 1st District, Rob Andrews’s concern isn’t about doing what’s right for his constituents, it’s about doing what’s right for Rob Andrews.”

Whatever happens, Glading will have an uphill battle, no matter who the Democrats field.  DeMichele said that, barring Andrews, they’re expecting to run against South Jersey AFL-CIO President Donald Norcross. 

“I suspect if Donald Norcross is not the candidate, it’s only because his internal polling tells him that he will not be well-received by the public.”