Hill stays positive as he explores House bid vs. Adler

By Matt Friedman | December 21st, 2009 - 4:28pm

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Hill stays positive as he explores House bid vs. Adler

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mo Hill, a Toms River Councilman, is mulling a bid for the GOP nomination for Congress against U.S. Rep. John Adler in 2010

Ask Toms River Councilman Maurice "Mo" Hill what he thought of Jon Runyan's recent press roll out, and he prefers to turn the conversation towards his own experience.

"My fear is what's going on in DC. It's the economy, and yet they're dealing with everything but that right now," said Hill, who at the moment appears to be the Ocean County Republicans' leading choice to run for congress.

As much as party leaders from Ocean and Burlington Counties say they want to avoid another primary like in 2008 -- when the two parties went to war in an expensive primary -- they appear to once again be on a collision course.

Ocean County Republicans are bolstered by the 70,000 vote plurality they gave to Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie last month.

Burlington County Republicans, however, believe they have a game changing candidate in Jon Runyan, a professional footballer who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and is expected to self-fund at least a portion of his candidacy. And late last week, Runyan was shepherded by Burlington GOP consultant Chris Russell through a marathon of short phone interviews with reporters.

Both county organizations are going through with the formalities. Each party will invite candidates to go before their screening committees, who will then recommend a candidate to the county committee. Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore has already met with Runyan, and Burlington County Republican Chairman Bill Layton has met with Hill.

"In the interview I came away with the very distinct impression that he's locked on with Jon Runyan," said Hill, who later added "I think Ocean County is looking to put forth a candidate. Whether I'm that candidate or not remains to be seen."

Hill, a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and practicing dentist, says he has a lot going for him. His military experience squares well with the district's two military bases, and his experience as a health care provider gives him a good prospective on the that debate. His father, Maurice Hill, Sr., started the Northern Burlington Regional School District and became its superintendent.

"I do have a connection with both Ocean and Burlington Counties," he said.

Layton, for his part, acknowledged that he supports Jon Runyan, but said there remains plenty of time to avoid a primary.

"To me it remains the same. Jon Runyan is the best candidate. So at some point we need to convince others of that, and that process is still taking place," he said. "If Jon Runyan was an Ocean County guy, I'd be with Jon Runyan. Jon Runyan is the best candidate for the race. It's about winning back the seat, not whether the guy is from Burlington, Ocean or Camden."

Gilmore said that he did not read any of Runyan's interviews and would wait until he has to comment.

Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray said that there "could quite possibly be" another primary.

"The Ocean County Republicans don't want to feel like they've been railroaded with a celebrity candidate who may not live up to potential," he said. "Politics is personal, and I think there's a sense that the Burlington folks tried to do an end-run around the process by putting up a celebrity candidate... Even if logic says try to avoid a primary, if you feel that you've been disrespected, that goes out the window."

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Mo Hill will put Runyan on his ass

Submitted by FlorioFanClub on December 21, 2009 - 7:00pm.

The joker is Justin Murphy. He'll likely take conservative votes from Runyan.

Mo Hill clearly has a better handle on the issues, a political base in Toms River, and as a health care provider will attract seniors who will be the deciding factor in a low turnout primary. I'll bet he already is familiar with every retirement village in the district. How many retirement villages has Runyan been to? He probably doesn't even know where they are.

Money can't buy this election. And with San Diego in the playoffs he'll be too busy raising money in the short amount of time he has which leaves him with very little time for active campaigning. His decision to play football instead of getting to meet the voters and discuss important issues like health care will not sit well with the seniors who will decide this election.

What Do These Two Candidates Stand For?

Submitted by Michael Illions on December 21, 2009 - 7:19pm.

Two candidates, twenty press releases and press conferences and not a position on an issue taken by either one of them.

Runyan is pro-choice

Submitted by FlorioFanClub on December 21, 2009 - 7:48pm.

"With restrictions"

Isn't that what RINOs always say? In fact, Runyan wasn't even a RINO until recently.

Justin Murphy is the only conservative in this race. I wouldn't waste my time with the other two.

Is He?

Submitted by Michael Illions on December 21, 2009 - 9:03pm.

Murphy has been quiet about his intentions on running again in 2010.

Don't Forget 08

Submitted by Michael Illions on December 21, 2009 - 9:04pm.

Well, there's no way he can be a Conservative and get Gilmore's blessing. Need we be reminded of the Estabrook, Unanue, Zimmer fiasco that saw most of these GOP County Chairman Clowns endorse all THREE of them, led by the Chief Clown himself George Gilmore?

Now here's a contender

Submitted by MCJ on December 21, 2009 - 9:07pm.

Enough of Runyan--Mo Hill's proven experience and leadership will make for an excellent Republican choice. I like that he's well-rounded with both medical and military experience. Additionally, he's networked into the local community and is a councilman.

Runyan shouldn't be a NJ representative. Mo Hill, in comparison, would be a fine choice and do his job effectively.

Runyan all the way

Submitted by surferboy23 on December 21, 2009 - 11:29pm.

With all due respect, Mo Hill looks like another tired white republican guy who will never win.

"With all due respect, Mo

Submitted by FlorioFanClub on December 22, 2009 - 12:23am.

"With all due respect, Mo Hill looks like another tired white republican guy who will never win."

So what's Runyan? A beat-up white recently-became-republican guy with bad knees who wants to prove he can still play football and win a Superbowl ring.

First

Submitted by the oc on December 22, 2009 - 10:14am.

First to AJ Sparxx - I was right - too many piledrivers taken. Typical jabroni. Neither of these guys are official candidates yet. And yet you want them to lay out all of their issues so you - a person who doesn't even live in the district - can pass judgement on them? Stick to what you know best - laying down for someone better and more popular than you. As for Justin Murphy - he is a lightweight. Pure and simple. The guy served one term as a councilman and couldn't even hold a job with Jim Saxton from what I am told. That is someone I want as my congressman - NOT! Runyan's views on abortion are not going to help him in this district. While I know very little about Mo, his background makes it worth learning more about. Plus, Layton is full of crap. The "we have not decided" but Runyan is the best candidate routine is tired and old. I don't think Ocean "deserveds" a congressperson, but I think they will get one.

To OC, Oh another fan, how

Submitted by Michael Illions on December 22, 2009 - 12:41pm.

To OC,

Oh another fan, how lovely.

Would you like to buy an AJ Sparxx 8x10 or T-shirt to show your support?

LMAO

Submitted by the oc on December 22, 2009 - 2:05pm.

LMAO - No thanks - I have enough toilet paper at home. Sorry but I did not troll the Single A, Amerian Legion wrestling circuit so I would have never seen you "job" to some out of shape drunk who was more successful than you.

Mo Hill v. Jon Runyan

Submitted by oceans edge on December 23, 2009 - 9:15am.

I would take Justin Murphy completely out of the equation. Anyone who cannot hold a job with Congressman Saxton has serious issues.

We need not be reminded about the missteps of Chairman Gilmore in the past, so I would caution him to go slowly and NOT just pick the Ocean County guy/gal standing in front of him without a thorough vetting. Having said that, Mo Hill is well plugged in to the second largest town in the district. He has a good grasp on issues important to the third district - military and medical.

I am NOT impressed with the press I have read on Jon Runyan. Say what you will about Adler, like him or hate him, he is very intelligent and has a great sense of humor. Jon Runyan's own statements are about a deep as a puddle. In a debate against Adler, which WILL happen, Runyan would be Adler's dream opponent. There seems to be no "there" there.

Mo Hill should be able to conduct himself with gravitas, even if he does not have a great sense of humor like Adler does. But, I do not know Mo Hill personally, and for all I know, he may be a laugh riot with a tremendous amount of intelligence.

The candidate who opposes Adler needs to be so carefully chosen to hit him on his weak points, to show that he or she possesses the knowledge and background that Adler lacks. If Layton forces a primary, the seat will be lost for another two years. And I will take that personally. And it will be a blow to Layton's already shaky reputation.

oceans edge

Submitted by Independent OC on December 24, 2009 - 8:46pm.

Well said, oceans edge. Runyan wouldn't stand a chance in a debate with Adler. I think Hill needs to be the guy.

Runyan has great perspective

Submitted by savenjnow on January 5, 2010 - 4:44pm.

I have great respect for Dr Hill and I am thankful for his service to our country. However, I prefer see some new faces with fresh perspectives and ideas. How does anyone know how Runyan would perfrm in a debate. He seems to be honest and straightforward and I want that in a candidate. No more well practiced political answers, bring the straight answers.

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