Declan O'Scanlon

Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMasoMonmouth County Republicans face an important decision at their convention on Wednesday night. In danger of losing control of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, GOP committee people have to decide whether Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso or Red Bank Councilman John Curley is the candidate who can win in November.

The Republicans have watched their rivals chip into their turf over the last two election cycles. Democrats edged one seat closer to seizing a majority in 2007 with John D'Amico's win.

There are two open seats this year, but Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, also a Republican, has the advantage of incumbency, meaning either DiMaso or Curley also needs to win to keep the GOP majority.

District 13 Sen. Joseph Kyrillos huddles with Assemblyman Sam Thompson.Stumping throughout central Jersey on Sunday, Gov. Jon Corzine dismissed the recently formed Common Sense America as a closeted anti-gay group masquerading as a champion of fiscal conservatism.

In defiance of Fair and Clean Elections in the 14th district, the Princeton-based outfit has spent an estimated $450,000-worth of ads against Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and by extension, her running mate, labor leader Wayne DeAngelo.

"It’s not going to end up having a major impact," said Corzine, with Greenstein, DeAngelo and state Senate candidate Seema Singh, at his side in Hamilton’s Golden Dawn Diner.

The Trenton Times today endorsed Republican Jennifer Beck for State Senate in the hotly contested 12th district race, saying she was "the more persistent voice in fighting for change."  Beck has also been endorsed by the Asbury Park Press and the Star-Ledger in her bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Ellen Karcher.

"Could Ms. Karcher have been more forceful in prying more reforms out of the Democratic-controlled Legislature? It's hard to say, but clearly this last session was full of half-measures and some outright failures," the editorial said.  READ

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and her running mates welcome Giuliani

The water towers jut against the skyline over the billboards here, part of that sprawl of roadway called Route 9 crammed between the Shore and the Raritan, a battered lifeline to a gas station culture of blimped-up commercial ratables and fading blue collar towns turned service sector central.
 

In Old Bridge a billboard says "Kyrillos 2007," and farther south of the river there’s "Hornik for Mayor" and car dealership ads - over 76% of the people here drive to work alone each day - and restaurant shacks and "Re-elect Kleinberg," and what appear to be undocumented workers and others stranded on bus stops looking at the drivers in the cars backed bumper-to-bumper, who look back and wait for the colors to change.

Amid the slogans of all sizes Thursday, a low-lying phalanx of lawn signs jumped into view in Manalapan in front of the Excelsior catering hall: Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Rudy. Yes, he was here, here to support the district 12 GOP ticket of Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and her running mates, Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande.

Up onstage with 12th district GOP state Senate candidate Jennifer Beck and her running mates for the Assembly, Declan O'Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani called for less government and more people power.

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck released the following statement today:

In the ultra-competitive district 12 legislative race, the Republicans are breaking out the big guns.

Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to make an appearance on behalf of Republican legislative candidates Jennifer Beck, Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, according to campaign spokesman Tom Fitzsimmons.

The appearance is scheduled for a Thursday rally at The Excelsior in Manalapan at 3:30 p.m.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: O’SCANLON & CASAGRANDE

ENDORSED BY THE ASBURY PARK PRESS

The Asbury Park Press has endorsed Republicans Declan O'Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande for State Assembly in the 12th district, passing over Democratic incumbent Michael Panter.  READ

O’SCANLON & CASAGRANDE TO OPPONENTS: YOUR SILENCE ON KARCHER’S FARMLAND ASSESSMENT IS DEAFENING