Hackett fights back against Mercer GOP organization

When Middlesex County Republicans tapped 21-year-old Brian Hackett as their candidate for Assembly in District 14, the GOP in neighboring Mercer County - which accounts for the slightly larger half of the district - decided to field a primary challenger against him rather than go with the traditional arrangement of each county fielding one candidate.

The Mercer Republicans argued that Hackett, a college junior who has never owned a home or held a full-time job, would not be taken seriously by the electorate.  But Hackett said that his young age is one of his key strengths.

"There are people who say I can't relate to the voters, and that's not true," said Hackett, who's running against restaurant owner Rob Calabro and attorney Bill Harvey -- two Mercer County 30-somethings - for the Republican nomination.

Young people aren't known to turn out in droves on Election Day, especially for off-year primary elections like this one.  But Hackett said that many of his college friends - even self-described liberals who are not registered with any party- have said they plan to register as Republicans and vote for him on primary day.

Meanwhile, Hackett said he is running a real campaign. He has not started going door-to-door yet, but has held some events and strategy sessions, and has put together a campaign staff led by Monroe Township Republicans Harold and Roslyn Kane.

"I have a campaign team and some advisors.  Everyone believes so much in the effort to the point where they refuse to be paid," he said.

Hackett said he has raised some money, but did not say how much.  He has not had a fundraiser yet, but has one planned.

Mercer County Republican Chairman Roy Wesley said that Calabro and Harvey have begun campaigning in earnest, holding a fundraiser and photo shoot.

"We feel, as we have from the beginning, that Brian Hackett simply is not the best choice to run in Mercer County," said Wesley.

But Wesley said that he believes the campaign will remain civil.

"Usually, people are looking for the pyrotechnics... He said she said. I don't think you'll see that in this campaign," he said.  "I think you'll see a campaign focused on the candidates and their ability to win the general election."

The primary winners will go on to run against incumbents Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton).