Keith Davis

Tom Wilson and Other Failed GOP Bosses Write Bad Script for NJ GOP

From left: Folsom Mayor Tom Ballistreri, Assemblyman John Amodeo (R-Atlantic) and Egg Harbor Township Mayor James McCullough.

GALLOWAY - Businessman Andy Unanue bested the field of GOP candidates for U.S. Senate at the Atlantic County Republican Convention here tonight, winning yet another line as part of an in absensia candidacy that is not even a week old.

Vacationing out of the state, Unanue beat state Sen. Joe Pennacchio and economist Murray Sabrin, who both spoke at the event held in the Renault Winery.

Over the course of the next week, brand new U.S. Senate candidate Andy Unanue will have a chance to cement his status as the Republican favorite to take on incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg in a marathon series of eight conventions.

Between tomorrow and next Wednesday, there are Republican county conventions coming up in Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Middlesex and Somerset. County committees will decide between Unanue, a businessman who's an heir to the Goya Foods fortune and the heir apparent to the campaign of former candidate Anne Estabrook, and his two Republican competitors: state Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Ramapo College finance professor Murray Sabrin.

The person who each committee picks will be awarded a coveted spot on the party line, which typically provides a boost to the candidate whose name occupies it.

But Pennacchio, not to be counted out, is focusing on winning the line in traditionally Democratic counties where he believes he can appeal to a working-class "Reagan Democrat base" in the general election - specifically Mercer and Middlesex. He already has the line in Bergen County, although that may change if Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz meets with his executive committee and opts to give the line to Unanue, a personal friend who he recruited. He's also got the line in Hunterdon, Passaic and Union counties.

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson will not run for U.S. Senate and will instead back Goya Foods heir Andy Unanue for the seat. 

“He’s a dynamic young man, wants to get involved,” said Levinson, who received a courtesy phone call from Unanue today.  “He comes forward without the political baggage that so many of our candidates have.  It’s exactly the way things should be.”

U.S. Senate candidate Joseph Pennacchio has been endorsed by four key Atlantic County GOP leaders: Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vince Polistina; former State Sen. Sonny McCullough, the Mayor of Egg Harbor Township; and Folsom Mayor Thomas Ballistreri. 

GASKILL JOINS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

n response to reports that Governor Jon Corzine is holding secret meetings today with legislators and politically connected members of the business community, including one at the Ram’s Head Inn, to discuss his toll increase/monetization plan before a public meeting later today, County Republican Chairman Keith Davis issued the following statement:

In an Atlantic County Republican Committee straw poll this morning, Sen. John McCain bested former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani by a vote of 34-17, according to chairman Keith Davis.

In third place, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney received 10 votes, followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with seven votes and U.S. Rep Ron Paul with two votes.

"This is a confirmation that conservative Republicans are rallying around McCain's message," said Davis, who endorsed the Arizona senator last summer.

The elected members of the Atlantic County Republican Committee will meet on January 26th at the Cologne Fire Hall in Hamilton Township to express their choice for the Republican nominee for president.

Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis and Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango both joined Anne Estabrook’s U.S. Senate campaign committee today.

“Change is coming,” said Davis in a press release.  “Anne Estabrook is the leader we need to provide a common-sense approach to finding solutions for New Jersey’s affordability crisis.”