McCain becomes clear front runner in New Jersey GOP primary

The vast majority of Rudy Giuliani’s New Jersey supporters are expected to endorse John McCain today, and pundits on both sides appear certain that McCain is the heavy favorite to win New Jersey’s winner-take-all primary on Tuesday. McCain will be in New Jersey on Monday, holding a rally at the Colonial Fire House in Hamilton; Rudy Giuliani is expected to accompany him.

Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, the Giuliani state campaign chairman, had asked supporters on Tuesday to withhold any endorsements until after his candidate made an announcement. Most backers respected that, although Assembly Majority Whip Jon Bramnick became the first to announce his switch from Giuliani to McCain, while the former New York City Mayor remained in the race.

Sources say that Cape May County Republican Chairman David Von Savage, one of the most ideologically conservative party leaders in the state and an architect of the winner-take-all plan, is strongly leaning toward McCain. Update: Von Savage will endorse McCain.

Butt Mitt Romney did pick up the backing of Assemblyman Sam Thompson and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande.

The Romney campaign has not announced if the former Massachusetts Governor would add a stop in New Jersey on his pre-Super Tuesday schedule, and sources in Romney’s New Jersey operation say it is unlikely their candidate will make much of a play here – since a candidate would need to win the primary in order to capture any delegates.

A Quinnipiac University poll released on January 23 had McCain leading Giuliani, 29%-26%, with Romney at 14%. Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul were each at 9%.