Ellen Karcher

2007 was a Republican year in New Jersey, thanks to some significant local gains, a well played game of defense, the defeat of two ballot referendums, and the growing insignificance of Governor Jon “Hold Me Accountable” Corzine. It is arguably the first Republican year in New Jersey, albeit marginally, since 1997.

Republicans ousted State Senator Ellen Karcher in the 12th, has a net gain of two Assembly seats – defeating two-term Democrat Michael Panter in Monmouth County and winning back the 8th district seat they lost earlier this year when Francis Bodine switched parties to run for the Senate. The GOP won both Assembly seats in District 2, holding Frank Blee’s seat and picking up the one Jim Whelan vacated.

If it were a Lex Luthor-lookalike contest between the campaigns' respective leading men it would be difficult to pick a winner, but it is not that in the 12th district, though the chief handlers of two proud and competitive women here are not unaware of their own head-to-bald-head rivalry.

Tom Fitzsimmons, campaign manager for Republican Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, likens the Democrats to the out-of-sorts and ultimately out-of-their-element Hessians on the eve of the Battle of Trenton. Mike Premo, campaign manager for Democratic Senator Ellen Karcher, chooses another metaphor - but he sticks with the military imagery.

Voting at Seton Hall Preperatory School in West Orange, Senate President Dick Codey was the center of attention, drawing a small media contingent to watch him enter and leave the booth.  Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, on the other hand, didn’t get much attention. 

It was a contrast in celebrity.

“Tell Senator Codey I’m envious,” joked Lance.

But the two have one thing in common – there’s been speculation that they could lose their leadership positions in the Senate.

In the hard-fought 12th district, Democratic Senator Ellen Karcher worked the Route 9 diner circuit this afternoon with Senate President Richard Codey. Her Republican challenger, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, went door-to-door in Tinton Falls with one of her running mates, Declan O'Scanlon, then fell back to headquarters to make phone calls.

The GOP team, which also includes Caroline Casagrande, was planning to work the train stations in Red Bank and Little Silver in the early evening hours before rendezvousing in Freehold to brace for election results later tonight, according to campaign spokesman Tom Fitzsimmons.

Remember the earlier editorial rants against double dipping officeholders?

From north to south, the front pages have been filled with critics complaining about the legislature’s future ban on dual office holding, while editorials across the state echoed their disapproval.

Given the amount of ink dedicated to condemning the practice, the average voter probably expected to see political endorsements in support of the challengers.

Surprise, surprise – that’s has not been the case.

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.

Mike Premo, campaign manager for Democratic Sen. Ellen Karcher, describes the ground game as part of his candidate's GOTV effort.

Tom Fitszimmons, campaign manager for Republican Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, describes the ground game as part of his candiate's GOTV effort.

"Are you all from Brooklyn? Then you're all Democrats, right?"