Ferguson and Kean join Lance for last minute Craford campaigning

CRANFORD -- State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) said turnout is high today, but that it won’t necessarily benefit his opponent in the 7th District Congressional race.

“I’ve been endorsed by every editorial board based upon my independence and views on the issues, and I believe that the public will vote based upon the issues,” said Lance, who’s running against Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood).

At his own polling place in solidly Republican Hunterdon County, Lance and his wife were voters numbers 305 and 306 as of 10:30 a.m., which Lance called a “very healthy” turnout.

Lance’s final campaign stop today was a low-key one at a diner in Cranford. He was joined by outgoing Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-Warren), who he hopes to replace, and State Senate Minority Leader. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield).

After that, he was off to go home to work the phones before heading to his joint election night party with U.S. Senate candidate Dick Zimmer in Somerville.

Responding to a last minute jab from Stender’s campaign accusing him of changing his position on whether he favors building a fence on the border with Mexico, Lance said his position has remained consistent.

“I favor electronic monitoring and beefing up our U.S. Attorney’s office, and I favor comprehensive reform. I think the fact is that all the editorial boards have endorsed me, and several have pointed out the falsehoods in the other campaign, particularly involving borrowing in New Jersey,” he said.

Asked whether he had any advice for Lance if he wins, Ferguson said Lance didn’t need any.

“He’s a tremendous public servant. People have recognized that throughout this campaign, and that’s why he’s going to win,” he said.

Ferguson, 37, was vague about his plans for the future.

“We’ll see. That will all take care of itself. The one thing we have to focus on right now is to make sure Leonard Lance is elected to Congress,” he said.

Most political analysts foresee a disastrous year for Republicans – something Kean is all too familiar with. He wasn’t helped by the Democratic wave of 2006, when he lost his U.S. Senate run to Bob Menendez (D-Hoboken). But Kean wasn’t concerned that Lance would fall victim to another Democratic wave – not in this district.

Kean demurred from predicting the percentage that he thinks Lance will win by.

“I think Leonard’s going to win,” he said.