Andy Unanue

TRENTON - Hounded by questions over the weekend abUnanue antagonist Murray Sabrin, left, filing his petitions in Trenton on Monday with campaign spokesman George Ajjan.out whether their candidate would indeed materialize as a public figure running for the GOP nomination to the U.S. Senate, the fledgling campaign of Andy Unanue today said he’s definitely in the race.

"I just filed the petitions," Unanue spokesman Mark Duffy said this morning as he returned to State Republican Committee headquarters from the Division of Elections office.

While Unanue was unavailable to talk to the press or pose for pictures, Duffy said he had more good news.

"He’s in the state," Duffy announced.

Andy Unanue filed nominating petitions today as a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

Andy Unanue will file his nominating petitions for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination today, although his intention to continue his two week old candidacy remains uncertain after party leaders sought to push him out last week and anoint John Crowley.  Crowley turned it down – twice. Keep an eye on Unanue’s Committee on Vacancies – that group of three may have the power to put another candidate in the race.

Keep an eye on local filings at various County Clerk’s offices to see if Frank Lautenberg and Rob Andrews file full slates – including Freeholder candidates – in any of the counties where the other has the organization line. 

Look out for news on who will replace Andrews as the Democratic candidate for Congress in the first district.  Chances are it will be a placeholder – so that Democratic leaders can get together after the primary to pick a candidate.

Watch the tenth congressional district and see if anyone files to run against ten-term incumbent Donald Payne, who will be on the Lautenberg slate.  Over the weekend, some Democrats were talking about Mark Alexander, a Seton Hall Law Professor who works for Barack Obama.

Despite being poised to enter the Republican Senate primary race for the second time in two weeks, Princeton biotech executive John Crowley once again withdrew his name from consideration today.

“John was deeply impressed with the outpouring of support for his potential candidacy for the US Senate. Many people both locally here in New Jersey and nationally had been encouraging him to run over the past week, but given his tremendous level of responsibility to his family, his company and to the US Navy, he’s decided not to enter the US Senate race this year,” said Crowley’s friend and advisor, Bill Spadea. “I know there was a lot of legitimate anticipation that John would enter this race we’ve been upfront with the many obligations he has, and his decision had to come down to his family.”

Andy Unanue was expected to return from his ski trip in Vail yesterday, campaign aides had said, but Republican sources said today that the Goya Foods heir has decided not to return to New Jersey for now and will remain on vacation.  He was in Colorado on Easter Sunday when he announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for United States Senator.  He intends to drop out over the next few days.

The seven Republican County Chairmen where Andy Unanue has the organization line held a conference call today and agreed to endorse John Crowley for the United States Senate, according to several sources. Unanue has party organization support in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Mercer County voted this week to endorse Crowley if he runs, and sources say that Burlington County Republicans, who have not backed a new candidate since Anne Estabrook withdrew from the race, are also expected to support Crowley.

Sources say that State Sen. Kevin O’Toole, the Essex County GOP Chairman, strongly leans towards Crowley.

State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio will have line in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem, Somerset and Union counties. He also enjoys support of party leaders in Morris and Warren counties, which have open primaries.

Andy Unanue will drop out of the U.S. Senate race before the filing deadline on Monday, according to sources familiar with the GOP campaign.  The millionaire Goya Foods heir entered the race on Easter Sunday and has captured organization lines in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Hudson, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.  He returned from an extended trip to Colorado today.

Dr. Sabrin Makes Reform Pledge To Avoid Conflicts Of Interest Between Political Bosses And Lobbyists

State Sen. Joe Pennacchio won Somerset County tonight, easily rolling over his only opponent, Andy Unanue, at the Somerset County convention.

Pennacchio won almost 80% of the vote, getting 247 votes to Unanue’s 51. 

Pennacchio already has the county line in Passaic, Bergen, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Salem Counties, along with hometown status in Morris County. 

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, spoke to Andy Unanue today and told him that his first choice as the GOP Senate candidate is biotech millionaire John Crowley – but that Unanue is his second choice, according to a source close to Republican strategist.