Brian Rumpf

It looks like a primary fight is brewing in the third congressional district.  

While popular Burlington County state Senator Diane Allen continues to be the presumptive favorite for the Republican nomination for retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton’s seat, Ocean County is getting ready to field its own candidate.

George Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chairman, has called a county committee convention to endorse a presidential candidate and, more importantly, its own congressional candidate.   The meeting is tentatively set for Monday, Dec. 10th.

Only one more potential candidate has taken his name out of consideration: State Senator-Elect Chris Connors from Ocean County.

His running mate, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, remains in the mix.

The field of potential Republican candidates to replace Jim Saxton next year is still large, but a few of the names first floated have removed themselves from consideration.

The Asbury Park Press has endorsed Democrat Michele Rosen and Republican Brian Rumpf for State Assembly in the 9th district.  Rosen is seeking the seat of Christopher Connors, who is running for the Senate.  Rumpf is an incumbent. READ

Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly is expressing interest in the open State Assembly seat in the ninth district, and insiders say that he would be the front runner for the job if he decides to enter the race. Ocean Township Mayor Daniel Van Pelt, who was edged out for an Assembly seat by Brian Rumpf in 2003, is expected to run. If Kelly decides against a legislative bid, Freeholder John Bartlett, a former Pine Beach Mayor who has spent more than twenty years in county government, could enter the race.

State Senator Leonard Connors announcement that he will not seek re-election to a ninth term is expected to result in an open Assembly seat. His son, Assemblyman Christopher Connors, is viewed as the leading candidate to replace his father in the Senate.

Look for some Republicans to advocate the nomination of a woman for the Assembly or Freeholder in 2007: the Ocean County GOP has not sent a woman to the Board of Freeholders since Hazel Gluck more than thirty years ago, and has not run a woman for State Assembly since Virginia Haines won a second term in 1993.

BARNES/COHEN MEASURE CRIMINALIZING
ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT HEADS TO FULL ASSEMBLY
Bill Targets Organized Shoplifting Rings

(TRENTON) -- An Assembly panel today gave final committee approval to legislation Assemblymen Peter J. Barnes, Jr. and Neil M. Cohen sponsored to crack down on organized shoplifting rings.