Mike Doherty

Hunterdon County GOP Chairman Henry Kuhl

CLINTON - The middle school sits on the side of  Route 78 and a packed parking lot gives an early indication that turnout is heavy for this special Republican Convention where committee members from Warren and Hunterdon counties will determine the party nominee for state senator in the 23rd District.

Both candidates, Assemblyman Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.), the Hunterdon-based candidate - and Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) from Warren, work the coming throng in the hallway outside the auditorium, where voting will occur.

"The guy's a political animal," says a political insider, observing Doherty going for people's hands even before their gloves are off as they come through the big double doors and into the school.

And there's Karrow,

She's mobbed by committee people just before they go through the hallway doors.

Hunterdon County GOP Chairman Henry Kuhl

There’s back-chatter in the 23rd District that Hunterdon County Chairman Henry Kuhl doesn’t have all of the county’s 212 county committee seats filled in what most insiders predict will be a photo finish election between  Assemblyman Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.) for the vacant state Senate seat.

But Kuhl, who supports home-county candidate Karrow over the Warren-based Doherty, says there are only three vacancies in all of Hunterdon County – a point of pride for the chairman.

“Our seats are harder to fill because we have arguably the purest county committee system in the state,” said Kuhl. “Our seats are harder to fill, but we have only three vacancies.”

Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.)

The telephone war between Assemblyman Michael Doherty (D-Washington Twp.) and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.) went into high gear today, with the Karrow forces securing an endorsement from Hunterdon County Freeholder Ron Sworen and Doherty going outside the box to land the backing of Republican activist Bill Spadea, president of the grassroots GOP outfit, Building the New Majority. 

A veteran of the Marine Corps, Spadea proudly endorsed Doherty for the vacant senate seat in the 23rd Legislative District. 

“Mike is a great role model for the residents of New Jersey,” said Spadea. “A West Point graduate and military veteran, Mike and his wife, Linda, have passed on their patriotism and love of country to their three sons, all of whom are now serving on active duty in the military. 2009 is a critical year in New Jersey. We have a great opportunity to defeat Jon Corzine and a new Republican governor will need strong, articulate, free market advocates like Mike Doherty in the state senate to rein in government and restore fiscal responsibility to Trenton. He has my whole-hearted support.”

As early as Monday, Hunterdon County Freeholder Ron Sworen said he didn’t think he would endorse a candidate in the 23rd District state Senate matchup between Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.). But today he decided to pick a candidate. 

“I’m going to be supporting Marcia Karrow for the Senate seat,” Sworen told PolitickerNJ.com. “Her local level experience is something we need desperately in the senate, and I intend to vote for her at the convention on Saturday.”

Karrow is a former Raritan mayor and committeewoman.

A GOP candidate for the Assembly in the 23rd District, Hunterdon County Freeholder Matthew Holt this week announced endorsements from former state Sen. Bill Schluter, former Hunterdon County Clerk Dottie Tirpok, and former Warren County Clerk Terry Lee. 

"I know the Trenton scene and what it takes to be an effective Legislator,” Schluter, who served as senator of the district for 13 years, wrote in a letter to Hunterdon/Warren County Republican Committee members.

“Matt will not let partisan gridlock prevent him from seeking responsible bipartisan solutions for the public good.  He is not flamboyant -- he works quietly and efficiently with constituents including farmers, environmentalists, and citizen advocacy groups. He will perform his Legislative duties in a fair and responsible manner while protecting the interest of the 23rd district, earning both your respect, as well as the respect of his fellow legislators."

Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt will run for the assembly, not the state senate

The three way race for senate in the 23rd Legislative District has been narrowed down to two.

Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt, who had already declared his candidacy for state senate, has opted instead to run for one of the two possible assembly seats that will soon open up.  Both incumbents, Assembly members Marcia Karrow (R-Flemington) and Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) are running to replace Congressman-elect Leonard Lance in the state Senate. 

"My mission to represent the 23rd District in the Legislature will not change.  I repeat my pledge to run a campaign based on issues, and to be a unifying force that all Republicans can rally around to further the goals of the party,” said Holt in a statement.  “Low taxes, responsible government, transparency, and impeccable integrity can be the hallmarks of New Jersey governance.  I continue my total commitment to these principles.” 

Raritan Twp. Mayor Richard O'Malley, on the occasion of his being sworn in Friday.

Two mayors from Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow’s (R-Raritan) native Hunterdon County have endorsed her rival, Assemblyman Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp), for the state senate seat being vacated by Congressman-elect Leonard Lance (R-Clinton).

Newly sworn-in Raritan Township Mayor Richard O’Malley and Bloomsbury Mayor Mark Peck both cited Doherty’s conservative credentials as the reason for their decisions to endorse him over Karrow.

“Mike Doherty is a Reagan conservative who always stands up for our values in Trenton. Whenever I need help as a Mayor, I know that I can count on Mike to respond immediately and in an effective manner,” said Peck.

Warren County Clerk Pat Kolb today endorsed Assemblyman Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) for state senate.

“Mike always supports the little guy. When the chips are down, you can count on Mike to do what is right and fair for the people. Mike is a man of great integrity and he has my wholehearted support for State Senate,” said Kolb in a statement.

Hunterdon County Web site

Peterson being sworn in by Lance, his political mentor

In an otherwise tough year for Republicans, Congressman-elect Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) gave the party a much-needed victory in the Garden State.  Now, a year after being ousted from his post as state Senate minority leader, Lance has built up considerable political capital.

Which is good for Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Erik Peterson, a personal friend of Lance’s who’s considering running for the Assembly seat in the 23rd Legislative District.

“Leonard Lance is wildly popular in his district.  His big win in the congressional race was due largely to overwhelming support in the part of that congressional district that’s in his legislative district in Hunterdon County.  The Lance name is a force to reckoned with in Hunterdon County going back more than a century,” said Monmouth University professor and pollster Patrick Murray.  “That’s going to carry a lot of weight, particularly in Hunterdon County….  In the Hunterdon County part that’s the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

In the 23rd Legislative District’s battle of endorsements, assemblywoman and state senate candidate Marcia Karrow (R-Flemington) today announced the support of nine mayors from Warren County municipalities.

Karrow is competing with fellow Assemblyman Mike Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) and Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt for the state senate seat being vacated by Congressman-elect Leonard Lance (R-Clinton).

The mayors are Robert Resker (Allamuchy Township), Bonnie Butler (Franklin Township), Thomas Charles (Frelinghuysen Township), Kevin Duffy (Township of Hardwick), Robert Giordano (Independence Township), John Inscho (Liberty Township), Ellen Nerback (Township of Mansfield), Harry Wyant, Jr. (Phillipsburg) and Marianne Van Deursen (Borough of Washington).

There are 22 municipalities in Warren County, 16 of which have partisan-elected Republican mayors.