Richard McGrath

U.S. Rep. Frank Palllone is expected to run for the Senate if Frank Lautenberg retires in 2016.

One more indication that U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone is extraordinarily serious about running for the United States Senate: he has hired veteran Democratic spokesman Richard McGrath as his new Communications Director.  McGrath, who has held the same position for two U.S. Senators, has worked five statewide campaigns and has spent the last seven years at the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.  McGrath isn't moving to Washington to work for a policy wonk Congressman unless another statewide race is on the horizon. 

The twelve-term Congressman from Monmouth County has $3.5 million cash on hand - the largest war chest of any New Jersey federal official.  Pallone is eyeing the seat of Frank Lautenberg, who will be 90-years-old when his current Senate term is up.

Richard McGrath, one of New Jersey's premier spinmeisters, will be moving to Washington this month to become the Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch).  

Since 2002, McGrath has been the Communications Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, where he has played a full-time role in Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, Bob Menendez's 2006 U.S. Senate campaign, and Jon Corzine's 2005 gubernatorial campaign.  He was Communications Director for James E. McGreevey's 1997 and 2001 campaigns for Governor, served as Communications Director for two U.S. Senators, Frank Lautenberg and Robert Torricelli.  McGrath has also worked for the New Jersey Senate Democratic office, the state Treasury Department, and the Democratic Governors Association.

McGrath will replace Andrew Souvall, who has worked for Pallone since 2000.  Souvall has accepted a private sector position in California.

State Democratic Committee spokesman Richard McGrath: Politicker photo 

DENVER - The appearance at the Democratic National Convention last night of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) had more than a few of the members of New Jersey’s delegation swallowing hard and wiping away tears.

One was Richard McGrath, spokesman of the State Democratic Committee, who watched Kennedy’s short, but almost full-circle speech in the Spotted Dog bar in the basement of the Inverness Hotel.

It was a little personal for the Democratic Party operative, who shared his family’s own Kennedy story.

"My dad grew up in the same congressional district as Kennedy, only on the other side of the tracks," said McGrath.

Obama backer Michael Passante, right, and North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato, who supported Clinton in the primary.: Politicker photo

WEST ORANGE - A group of onetime Hillary Clinton fundraisers today committed to raising dollars for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, according to a release issued by Richard McGrath, spokesman of the Democratic State Committee.

"Democrats in New Jersey are unifying behind Barack Obama in every way under the leadership of Governor Corzine," said party chairman Joe Cryan. "We are supporting him with financial resources, political organization and grass roots activism. We are one party behind one candidate. This commitment from these top fundraisers is another big step towards victory in November."

Those who breakfasted with Gov. Jon Corzine and Cryan at Pal’s Cabin included Obama State Director Tricia Mueller, and Obama Policy Director Mark Alexander. Joining them were about ten former Clinton backers, each of whom pledged to raise $10,000 or more within the next few days, said Cryan.

For Immediate Release
October 14, 2005
Contact: Richard McGrath or Andrew Poag
732-729-9940

Dear George:

The Democratic State Committee intercepted the following letter as a result of "staff error" on the part of the Forrester Campaign.

Doug's Deceptive Ad Called
"Misleading", "Incorrect" and "Just Wrong"

New Brunswick - NBC 4 took Forrester to task last night for an ad that they call "misleading", "incorrect" and "just wrong". The station was specifically referring to Forrester's claim that Senator Corzine voted to raise taxes 133 times.

Forrester Lies Again!
Uses Twisted Quote to Make His Tax Sham Sound Better

Today Doug Forrester issued a press release stating, "Corzine admits Doug Forrester's property tax plan is better," using a twisted quote for back up. Forrester used the following half quote from Jon Corzine, "There'll be people who don't get anything under my program. And everybody will get something under Mr. Forrester's..."

In a deceptive and deceitful manner that has become common to his campaign, Doug didn't use the entire quote, which read, "Now there'll be people who don't get anything under my program, and everybody will get something under Mr. Forrester's, guys like me won't get a dime, people that need help will. That's the biggest difference."

Doug Forrester's Pyrrhic Victory

This morning, it was between Doug Forrester and the courts...now it's between Doug Forrester and the voters.

Forrester's Stonewalling To Get Judicial Test Today

Doug Forrester's stubborn refusal to disclose information about the practices and profits of his prescription drug company will be tested once again when a Superior Court judge hears a request by the Democratic State Committee to release documents from a lawsuit against Benecard by two of Forrester's public clients.