David Norcross

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is expected to release a list of the New Jersey endorsements today. Supporters are likely to include State Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Republican National Chairman David Norcross, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, Morris County Assembly candidate Jay Webber, former Paterson Mayor Lawrence "Pat" Kramer. and former Republican State Committee Executive Director Brian Nelson.

Among the seven Independents running for the United States Senate in 2006 is 77-year-old N. Leonard Smith, who is running as the "Solidarity, Defend Life" candidate. Smith is no newcomer to New Jersey politics: he served as a Camden County Freeholder in the early 1960's and sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1976, winning 6.2% of the vote in a four-candidate field that was won (with 68%) by David Norcross, now New Jersey's Republican National Committeeman. A retired high school track coach, Smith's late wife was the longtime Northfield Deputy Municipal Clerk. Smith's running mate in his 1963 Freeholder campaign: Thomas Shusted, who went on to serve in the State Assembly with future Governor Thomas Kean.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held on Monday, September 1 through Thursday, September 4, according to an announcement made today. Bids to host the convention are due by May 22, and the Site Selection Committe will announce a list of finalist cities this summer -- with a selection made by next February. New Jersey's Republican National Committeeman, David Norcross, is one of nine members of the site selection panel. A former GOP State Chairman and U.S. Senate candidate, Norcross was the Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2004 convention.

The Democratic National Convention is set for August 25-28.