Stirring the pot, with someone's trial balloon

By Wally Edge | March 17th, 2006 - 1:37pm
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At what point does nine-term Assemblyman David Russo view the Civil War among Bergen County Republicans as an opportunity? One influential Republican strategist opined that Russo should consider challenging two-term Congressman Scott Garrett in the Republican primary, suggesting that running on a line with County Executive candidate Kathleen Donovan and Freeholder Lisa Randall might be his best chance to secure the fifth district House seat that eluded him four years ago. Garrett has said he would run on the Bergen County Republican Organization line.

The Republican said that Russo's chances could increase if U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Kean decides to run on the Donovan/Randall line. Russo openly mulled a primary challenge two years ago, after losing to Garrett in 2002. Russo ran for the open seat when Marge Roukema retired in 2002 and won the Bergen GOP convention. But the primary vote in Bergen -- which accounts for more than half of the district -- was split between Russo and State Senator Gerald Cardinale. Garrett racked up big numbers in Sussex and Warren Counties and won the primary with 45 percent of the vote. Garrett has $291,000 in his warchest -- not a huge number for an incumbent.

Tags:

why not...no time like the present. Garrett ain't going anywher

Submitted by Mr. Democrat (not verified) on March 17, 2006 - 4:26pm.

why not...no time like the present. Garrett ain't going anywhere for a while...it's probably the best shot Russo will have for a long, long while.

I love a good intramural GOP rumble!

speaking of intramurals a Sweeney/Greenwald would be fun if only

Submitted by gVinnie (not verified) on March 17, 2006 - 6:46pm.

speaking of intramurals a Sweeney/Greenwald would be fun if only to see Lou standing in a puddle of pee before Steve even clithced his fist.

Or look at it the other way, the two conservative pro-Life candi

Submitted by AliBoomaye (not verified) on March 17, 2006 - 8:51pm.

Or look at it the other way, the two conservative pro-Life candidates got 76% of the vote, and the one liberal, pro-abortion candidate (Russo) got 24%. I think ideology played a much bigger role than geography in that race and besides, anyone who thinks a liberal is going to beat Scott Garrett in a primary should put down the crack pipe. Remember that in 2002, Garrett got a higher percentage of the Bergen County vote than either McNamara or Forrester, two so-called "moderates" who supposedly were stronger than the "ultra-conservative" Garrett.

Really lame analysis Ali .... Ask John G. how that ideology card

Submitted by thoroughlymoderatemillie (not verified) on March 18, 2006 - 7:35pm.

Really lame analysis Ali .... Ask John G. how that ideology card played out in last year's assemblly orimary with Russo & O'Toole. 4 yrs ago it was simply a split Bergen vote vs. a unified Sussex/ Warren vote. Had there been 1 Bergen candidate, it would have been a walk.

Go Russo!

Submitted by mojo (not verified) on March 19, 2006 - 6:14pm.

Go Russo!

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