Joseph Sinagra

The Home News Tribune and the Courier-News today endorsed Republican Bob Jones in his long shot bit to unseat Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield) in the 18th district.  They also endorsed one of the Democratic incumbents, Peter Barnes III (D-Edison).

"Diegnan has long seemed much too quick to resort to higher spending and more taxes," said an editorial that ran in both newspapers. "Jones offers a strong streak of fiscal conservatism and a thoughtful nature. While we wouldn't envision him as a dynamic Republican leader, we can see him as a details-oriented worker bee crunching the numbers to make cost-cutting initiatives work.

Barnes "hasn't become as thoroughly jaded as many of his more veteran colleagues," the newspapers said.  "Barnes comes across as a straight-shooter willing to fight the right fights. We can criticize him for not beating the drum more loudly for reforms, and we might not agree with all of his views on appropriate government spending. But Trenton doesn't need an entire Statehouse filled with like-minded legislators. What it needs is more across-the-board integrity, lawmakers making their cases for the right reasons, and on the public's behalf, not their own."

The other Republican, former Helmetta Councilman Joseph Sinagra, "offers few specifics and little vision."

Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre is expected to enter the race for the Republican nomination for Congress in New Jersey's 12th district.  He wants toun against six-term U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell). 

Holt, 60, was elected to Congress in 1998 in a 51%-48% upset victory that took advantage of incumbent Michael Pappas' weaknesses.  He defied pundits two years later by holding the seat against former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer, winning by just 651 votes.  Boosted by some adjustments to his district after the 2000 Census, Holt won 61% against former N.J. Secretary of State DeForest "Buster" Soaries in 2002, 59% against GOP activist Bill Spadea in 2004, 65% against former Helmetta Councilman Joseph Sinagra in 2006, and 62% against Holmdel Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman in 2008.

Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre has expressed some interest in running for Congress next year against Democrat Rush Holt.

Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre is considering a bid for Congress against Democrat Rush Holt in 2010 and spent some time on last week's Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington making some early fundraising connections.  Holt is a heavy favorite to win a seventh term, but in a hypothetical situation where President Barack Obama's approval ratings during his midterm election were in decline, New Jersey 12 is the type of district that could be on the bubble of competitiveness.

Holt, 60, was elected to Congress in 1998 in a 51%-48% upset victory that took advantage of incumbent Michael Pappas' weaknesses.  He defied pundits two years later by holding the seat against former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer, winning by just 651 votes.  Boosted by some adjustments to his district after the 2000 Census, Holt won 61% against former N.J. Secretary of State DeForest "Buster" Soaries in 2002, 59% against GOP activist Bill Spadea in 2004, 65% against former Helmetta Councilman Joseph Sinagra in 2006, and 62% against Holmdel Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman in 2008.

Republicans have picked former Helmetta Council President Joseph Sinagra to run for Congress against four-term Democrat Rush Holt in the 12th district.