Larry Casha

If Christopher Christie wins his race for Governor, look for Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany) to actively seek a post in the new administration.  The 73-year-old Morris County Republican has been anxious to serve in the cabinet for several years; he was interested enough in becoming the Commissioner of Transportation that he discussed the job with then-Gov. James E. McGreevey. 

“I am singularly focused on winning a Republican majority in the state Assembly and helping Chris Christie become the next Governor of New Jersey. I am not interested in becoming Transportation Commissioner," DeCroce said in an e-mail to PolitickerNJ.com. "I am very interested in serving as Assembly Speaker and working with Governor Christie to restore fiscal sanity and make New Jersey affordable again. Any report to the contrary is simply false.”

A DeCroce move to the administration would create two new campaigns - one to replace him as the Assembly Minority Leader (assuming the GOP does not capture control of the Assembly in November) and the other to fill his District 26 Assembly seat.  Some Assembly Republicans believe a leadership battle could turn out to be contest between the GOP Conference Leader, Peter Biondi (R-Hillsborough) and Minority Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield).  Biondi has been eyeing the Minority Leader post for a while, and has reportedly considered challenging DeCroce.    Don't count out Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-Franklin) as a leadership candidate.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan with Lonegan operative Morgan Levy.

MT. ARLINGTON – The Republican gubernatorial candidates’ forum here tonight sponsored by the Mt. Arlington Republican Club contained at least one surprise from the standpoint of stump speechmaking. 

Led to the front of the room by an aide, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan spent several moments groping for the microphone before confessing to the small crowd, “I’m severely visually impaired. I can’t see anyone in front of me, so if anyone wants to flip me the bird, go right ahead. When I was 14, I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa.”

Down 23 points to former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie in the latest Quinnipiac University poll, Team Lonegan insisted their candidate has crumpled up his speech before on the trail, in Toms River, for example, to talk about his blindness, a subject he usually avoids.

Morris County GOP Chairman John Sette, left, with Daily Record columnist Fred Snowflack during a GOP delegate sendoff party last summer

A lot can happen between now and June 2010, but one early contender has emerged to replace John Sette as Morris County GOP Chairman: Republican State Committeewoman Christina Ramirez. Sette has said he won't seek re-election next year. 

If she runs, Ramirez will have the support of State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville).

Getty Images Photo

Kinnelon Democratic Municipal Chairman Roman Oben, at Giants Stadium in 1998.

Former NFL player Roman Oben is the new Kinnelon Democratic Municipal Chairman. Oben was named to the post by Morris County Democratic Chairman Lewis Candura this morning. The 36-year-old ex-offensive tackle played for the Giants, Browns, Chargers and Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a twelve year professional football career. Currently a broadcaster, which may raise some interesting conflicts if Kinnelon Republican Municipal Chairman Larry Casha seeks equal time, Oben is also a former intern for U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell.

State Sen. Joe Pennacchio gave up his delegate slot to stay in New Jersey for Labor Day weekend
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. While New Jersey Republicans gather for their convention, one person who’s staying home is state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who was supposed to be a delegate.

Speaking to PolitickerNJ two weeks ago, Pennacchio (R-Montville) said he wouldn’t be attending for a number of reasons. For one, he decided after his U.S. Senate primary campaign to spend more time with his family. He also wants to spend more time focusing on his legislative career and his dental practice. But there’s something else too.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t want to party with the party leaders. The leaders everyone was talking about in my campaign,” said Pennacchio, whose delegate spot has been replaced by former Morris County Freeholder John Inglesino. “I have an indifference towards them as much as they have an indifference towards me.”

Former Kinnelon Council President Larry Casha lost his bid for State Assembly yesterday -- it was his second loss; Joseph Pennacchio beat him in a 2001 Special Election Convention -- but he performed well enough in ultra-forgiving Morris County to remain on the short list for the next vacancy. 

Casha ran a strong campaign, with perhaps the best direct mail of the cycle, but could not compete with Webber, who had spent five years running for the Legislature and had a virtual lock on primary-voting conservatives.  By the time the next seat comes up -- Alex DeCroce turns 71 on Sunday -- Casha may be able to shed the liability of being Bob Martin's staffer and campaign aide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT: Gregory Andres

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT: Gregory Andres

June 4, 2007                                                                            973-909-4490

Just three days out from the 26th district Republican primary between Jay Webber and Larry Casha, many Republicans say the race is too close to call. 

The two candidates are enmeshed in a heated battle for one of two one open assembly seat in the 26th District, trying to outdo each others’ conservative credentials.

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce is up for reelection for the other seat, but he is considered the favorite and both other candidates claim to support him.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT: Gregory Andres

June 1, 2007                                                                            973-909-4490