Larry Casha

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT: Gregory Andres

May 23, 2007                                                                          973-909-4490

The battle of the press releases continues between Larry Casha and Jay Webber, two Republicans running for an open seat in District 26.

Assembly candidate Larry Casha didn't get his facts straight on a recent direct mail piece to 26th district voters -- he accused rival Jay Webber of calling State Senator Robert Martin "Mr. Potato Head" during the 2003 Republican primary. Webber didn't say that, PoliticsNJ.com did. The reference to the classic Hasbro toy that changes faces to fit the situation was made after Martin moved decidedly to the right in order to win a hotly contested primary with Webber, a bonafide conservative. Casha knows Webber didn't say this -- he complained about the Mr. Potato Head moniker while serving as Martin's campaign coordinator -- but that didn't seem to stop him from making an unfair accusation this week.

Another pro-life group has hitched its wagon to Republican Assembly Candidate Jay Webber.

Conservative Jay Webber, 35, lost a primary challenge against State Sen. Bob Martin in 2003When conservative Jay Webber ran for the State Senate four years ago, he found himself battling a liberal incumbent who, for the campaign, positioned himself to Webber’s right. The more Webber battled, the more money the incumbent spent refusing to move over.

Now, State Sen. Robert Martin is retiring, and with Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio moving up to the Senate, Webber is battling Martin’s old advisor in a hotly contested primary for an open Assembly seat.

Former Kinnelon Councilman Larry Casha, 53, lost a Special Election Convention for Assembly to Joe Pennacchio in 2001

Casha, a longtime GOP insider and fundraiser with a strong base in Montville, where he grew up, has won the most endorsements of elected officials and party leaders.

Webber, a former congressional aide, has strong ties to conservative activists. This week he picked up the endorsement of New Jersey Right to Life. He also has the organization line in Passaic County, home to thirty percent of the district’s voters. He shares the party endorsement with Pennacchio and DeCroce.

New Jersey’s Right to Life PAC has endorsed Jay Webber for State Assembly in the 26th district GOP primary.  

Webber, Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, and former Kinnelon Councilman Lawrence Casha are competing for two seats to represent the traditionally Republican Morris-Passaic district.  Incumbent Joseph Pennacchio is running for an open State Senate seat.

Contact: Glenn Sisco

973-838-5401

Jay Webber is Not Fit to Serve in Public Office

Mayor of Kinnelon Asks Him to Withdraw Candidacy

Contact: Gregory Andres

973-909-4490

Jay Webber Issues Slanderous Statement About Opponent --

Apology and Retraction Demanded

Millionaire developer Anthony Pio Costa is expected to drop his bid for State Assembly in the 26th district and will endorse Larry Casha for the open seat.  Pio Costa's focus will instead turn to the Assembly bid of  his son, Carmen Pio Costa, in the 36th district.