democratic primary

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New Jersey Democrats haven’t had a real statewide primary in eight years – the last time was in 2000, when newcomer Jon Corzine beat former Governor Jim Florio’s South Jersey-based coalition in the U.S. Senate primary by a 58%-42% margin.

In the eleven primaries since Democrats last lost a U.S. Senate race in 1972, eight of them have been virtually uncontested. In 1978, basketball star Bill Bradley beat the establishment choice, State Treasurer Richard Leone, by a 59%-26% margin, with ex-State Sen. Alexander Menza receiving 9%. And in 1982, newcomer Frank Lautenberg won a ten candidate primary with 26% of the vote against former Reps. Andrew Maguire (23%) and Joseph LeFante (20%), and Princeton Mayor Barbara Boggs Sigmund (11%). Six other candidates – businessman Howard Rosen, former state Banking Commissioner Angelo Bianchi, Passaic County Freeholder Cyril Yannarelli, labor leader Frank Forst, Richard McAleer, and Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello combined for the remaining votes. Cresitello, who is running again this year, finished last with 4,295 votes statewide.

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Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello is preparing to challenge incumbent Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, and will launch a petition drive tomorrow morning in Morristown, according to Gayle Kesselman, Co-Chair, New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control.

“This is very good news,” Kesselman said in an e-mail.  “Mayor Cresitello has steadfastly understood the illegal immigration problem in the country and his town. He has instituted 287G training for his police officers and argued with the Democrats in NJ about the immigration problem. The current NJ Senator, Frank Lautenberg, is up for reelection in 2008.  He is probably in his middle 80's.  And Lautenberg has a very pro-illegal immigration voting record in the U.S. Senate. Mayor Cresitello wants to challenge him for the seat.”

Rush Holt endorsed Governor Jon Corzine’s toll hike plan yesterday, but has still been unable to decide who he wants as the next President of the United States.  Holt is the only New Jersey House Democrat not to endorse a candidate in today’s presidential primary.

The Associated Press reported this morning that Gov. Jon Corzine couldn’t vote at his Hoboken polling location early this morning because the voting machines were not working.  Election officials are not accustomed to running elections in February – should New Jerseyans expect more problems like this?

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora still holds out hope that former Vice President Al Gore will emerge as the Democratic candidate for President. The seven-term Assemblyman from Princeton is running for Delegate on an uncommitted slate in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Gusciora explained his reasons for not picking between Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in a statement released last night:

Dick Codey, who may be New Jersey's most popular politician, will endorse Barack Obama for President
Senate President Richard Codey is expected to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to sources close to Codey. Codey, who served as Governor from 2004 to 2006, had served as New Jersey Chairman of John Edwards’ campaign.