New Jerseyans play key role in California special election
By Wally EdgeNational Republicans scored a major political victory in California's 50th congressional district when they won a Special Election to fill the vacancy caused by Duke Cunningham's resignation. Some of the credit for the win is going to the Republican National Committee's 72-Hour Program, their voter turnout model. An RNC memo says that the program generated over 182,000 direct voter contacts, and since their team arrived in the district, they reversed a Democratic lead in returned absentee ballots by more than 50%.
The Director of the RNC 72-Hour Program is a New Jerseyan, Bill Stepien, who not coincidentally made the PoliticsNJ.com Rising Stars list in 2001 and the Best Operatives list in 2003. Stepien, who spent the last two weeks in Southern California, started out in politics as a volunteer on Anthony Bucco's successful State Senate race in 1997 against incumbent Gordon MacInnes (that's the last time Republicans ousted a Democratic Senator) and was the Campaign Manager for Bill Baroni's winning State Assembly race in 2003 against incumbent Gary Guear. He joined the RNC after running the Bush/Cheney field operation in New Hampshire in 2004. Stepien's boss is another New Jerseyan, Michael DuHaime, who is now the RNC Political Director.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
Richard LaRossa
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
“My work is done here. Winfrey has finally succumbed,” announced Novick at a press conference, pumping his fist in ‘win’ style. ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Christie names 19 subcommittee chairs
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Marlboro mayor won't rule out '13 bid for governor
- Velez-Gentry would take Christie administration position if offered
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Fifis formally announces Burlco Dem leadership bid
- Watson Coleman drops speaker bid
- Conaway seeks Burlco Dem chairmanship
- Hayden files Ferriero motion
- Lesniak: bring gay marraige up for a vote
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Lesniak: bring gay marraige up for a vote
- Velez-Gentry would take Christie administration position if offered
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Marlboro mayor won't rule out '13 bid for governor
- Spicuzzo nomination passes committee
- Christie names 19 subcommittee chairs
- Fifis formally announces Burlco Dem leadership bid
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"Neither the Wrath of God nor of Voters will descend upon you" - state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) in an email message pushing Democratic legislators to address gay marriage.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 23 2009
Syndicate
