For the last couple weeks, Passaic County has buzzed with talk of Republican activist Joe Caruso mounting an Assembly primary bid to take down incumbent Scott Rumana (R-Wayne).
Reached for comment today, Caruso downplayed the prospect but did not rule it out entirely.
"Not to bloat my own ego, but I have too many ideas I want to share with the state, and to go into a position in the Assembly, my first question is what can you do to affect change as an assemblyman?," said Caruso, a Passaic County native who heads up the finance wing of the Republican Party in neighboring Bergen County and runs a finance firm.
If Caruso does decide to run, however, he will limit his campaign to targeting Rumana, and not Assemblyman Dave Russo (R-Ridgewood), who he described as a "gentleman."
Normally, an Assemblyman is in a strong position to affect change. But not as a member of the minority party, Caruso said.
"There are so many issues that need to be addressed in Trenton, but my question is how do you affect change by standing there and yelling into the woods?," he said.
The issue Caruso is most concerned about: the business climate in New Jersey. Citing a reports from the Small business and Entrepreneurial Council and the Tax Foundation, Caruso said that New Jersey tends to rank dead last in how business-friendly the climate is. Fix that, and it will go a long way towards fixing the deficit, he said.
"What are these people doing in Trenton? It's very frustrating," said Caruso. "All I can tell you is that this is a state with so much opportunity, a great worker population base, close proximity to New York, an international airport, rail lines, major roads that can't get itself out of debt," said Caruso.
Caruso also expressed frustration about both Democrats' and Republicans' stances on the new Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) regulations, health care, the environment and what to do with the site of the ill-fated EnCap Project in Bergen County, which he believes should be turned into a solar farm.
Rumana, however, said that he's proud of his legislative accomplishments - particularly his opposition to the COAH regulations. Instead, he chalked the talk of a primary challenge up to his rivals in Passaic County Republican politics, led by former Party Chairman Peter Murphy.
"I expect the Murphy gang to challenge us, and Joe has been palling around with this guy," said Rumana. "It's not Joe Caruso. This is the Murphy gang. And that's what you're going to hear over and over again. You're going to get tired of hearing about it, and unfortunately I'm going to have to keep going to the fact that if you want to join the convicted felons gang, you're going to be on the wrong side of politics. They will lose, and anyone attached to him will lose in 2009 and beyond." (Murphy was convicted of three corruption counts in 2001. The convictions were overturned, but Murphy pleaded guilty to one county so as not to face a new trial).
Caruso, however, promises that he will not run if he doesn't think he can win.
"If I ran, I can make one commitment: I would win. I won't lose," he said.
Christie vetoes 5 service contracts approved by Turnpike Authority Governor Christie on Thursday vetoed five professional services contracts that were approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority a month ago. The governor’s office said Christie exercised his eighth veto because the contract fees ranged from...
“She has already chosen the interests of the insurance industry over the health care needs of working people, she took millions from Wall Street as the economy went into a meltdown, and now she wants to purchase a job in Congress at a time when so many have lost their jobs because of the actions of big bankers and others." -- Monmouth County Democrats spokesman Mike Mangan, on Republican Diane Gooch, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone.
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Battle Royale???
There could be some fireworks in Willowbrookland!
Formiddable Challenger
Joe Caruso is a fighter, and he tends to get what he wants by sheer will. If he says he has what it takes to win the seat and help reform the R's in our state, I believe he does.
Caruso is well known and well-liked among Republicans in NJ, and, perhaps most importantly, he's feared. He's someone you'd want fighting on your side, so it'll be interesting to see how this game in Passaic plays out.
When Will the GOP Focus on "Taking Down" the Democrats?!
I'd sooner back a candidate who's respected & liked, than one who's "feared"! Fear & intimidation may have worked for Joe Ferriero as BCDO Chairman for years, but eventually people get tired of it.
When will the Repube's pull there head out of there Arrrsss.
Comments like "When will the GOP focus on taking down the democrats", are what is wrong to begin with, when you dont have the best possible people representing you in the GOP. I think if you go based on what Mr. Caruso has done for the Republican party over the last 3 years compared to what Mr. Ruman0 has done i think that alone speaks for itself. Instead of raising money for what at the time was a flailing republican organization we get Italian American heritage month.
When will the GOP vote in decent candidates?
Well I said in the same sentence that Caruso is well-liked - extremely well-liked. With him in the running, it seems as though Republicans finally have a candidate they can rally around and get excited about. Caruso is just another one of the us "regular" people, but at the same time he's accomplished and driven moreso than most.
I noted that he's feared not because he uses intimidation, but because he has the capability to shake things up in the Republican Party that has the old establishment guys scared stiff.
Mr Caruso
is a rising star in your Republican Party.
He helped the Bergen candidates come within striking distance our our County Candidates in a tough year for all you Republicans.
The Bergen Republican chairman made a wise choice in having him on your county team.
Joe for Gov.
Joe should run for Gov. He is too good for the Assembly.
Finally, A PLAN!
New Jersey has been fueled by political propaganda and unfulfilled guarantees for far too long. Joe Caruso is a determined man who will fight for what the state needs, even if it makes him unpopular. Caruso has a gift to see past the mess New Jersey is in, through to what it has the potential to be: a state where business flourishes and politicians aren't pickpocketing taxpayers. In addition, I must echo "Libslose" sentiments when they said, "it seems as though Republicans finally have a candidate they can rally around and get excited about." It's the truth! Joe Caruso is tired of seeing the GOP stray away from what it's supposed to be. If anything, it'll be refreshing to see a REAL Republican, rather than the many RINO's we've become accustomed to, run for office. JOE CARUSO FOR ASSEMBLY 2009!