Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore is not ready to roll over and anoint former Eagles tackle Jon Runyon as the Republican nominee for Congress in the 3rd District.

First, he at least needs to hear from Runyan, who lives in Burlington County.

"I'll wait for Mr. Runyan to make contact and we'll take it from there, but obviously there are a lot of viable candidates out there," said Gilmore.  "Some are from Ocean County, some from Burlington, and we'll have to wait and see how they all withstand the scrutiny that will be put on their strengths and weaknesses." 

Republicans from Burlington County, which makes up roughly the same portion of the 3rd District as Ocean County, recruited Runyan and wasted no time pushing out a statement quoting him as being "very interested" in running.  

But Gilmore - who gets Republican street cred for Christopher Christie's 70,000 margin of victory in Ocean County -- has his own stable of potential candidates, foremost among them state Sen. Christopher Connors (R-Lacey Twp.). 

Ocean County, which is represented by two congressional districts, has never put a native son in the House. 

Last year, Gilmore's party ran Freeholder Jack Kelly in a nasty and costly campaign against the eventual Republican nominee, Lockheed Martin executive and then-Medford Mayor Chris Myers (former Tabernacle Township Committeeman Justin Murphy also ran, getting nearly as many votes in the primary as Kelly did, and plans to run again this year).  Republicans feel they would have beaten U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) - who last year became the first Democrat to represent the district since the late 19th century - had they avoided the primary. 

Gilmore also noted that Runyan - a free agent who is not active in the NFL right now but has not retired - has expressed interest in past interviews about returning to play football.

"These are the questions we want to ask, but I have yet to have the opportunity to discuss this with Mr. Runyan," he said.

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When Republican National Chairman Michael Steele and Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie came to their district on Monday, fourth district GOP Assembly candidates Dominick DiCicco and Eugene E. T. Lawrence were far from the center of attention.  But they were happy to see the state party at least paying some attention to their region.

"It opens the door for South Jersey. We don't get a lot of attention down here, and we don't really have a lot of intense representation that really goes to bat for issues the way that we should," said Lawrence.

When Republicans announced Lawrence's candidacy in the spring, they hailed it as a "game changer" in this suburban Philadelphia district with a nearly two-to-one Democratic registration advantage.  Lawrence, an African-American former councilman from Gloucester Township, switched from Democrat to Republican to join the ticket.  He was soon joined by DiCicco, who is the chief counsel for Zurich's North America Commercial division.

They're running against two-term incumbent Paul Moriarty (D-Washington Township), and Bill Collins, a former Gloucester Township school board president and track coach who is replacing outgoing Assemblywoman Sandra Love (D-Gloucester Twp) on the ballot.

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Camden GOP:
Meet the New Clerk,
Same as the Old Clerk

Governor Jon Corzine swears in Joe Ripa as
new Camden County Clerk; Republicans say
real change needed for genuine reform

HADDON HEIGHTS – Governor Jon Corzine, whose budget will raise taxes $1 billion on New Jerseyans who are already struggling to make ends meet, managed to find his way to South Jersey just long enough to swear in Joe Ripa, the Norcross machine’s hand-picked candidate for County Clerk.

Embracing Ripa in his arms, Corzine bridged the North-South divide by making it clear that he supports Democrat party hacks regardless of their geographical location.

“Our county government is in serious need of reform,” said Camden County GOP Chairman Rick DeMichele. “But we will not see that reform until voters make a change at the ballot box. Camden County residents deserve to know: in what way is Joe Ripa qualified to be our County Clerk?”

“Fortunately, voters have an alternative in Scott Moran,” DeMichele added. “Scott is a software engineer who will bring our county government into the 21st century. He will take advantage of all the opportunities technology offers us to make our government cheaper, more efficient, and able to help more of our citizens get access to the services and information they need.”

“For the first time, I will bring the necessary technical expertise to the election certification process in Camden County,” said Scott Moran, Republican candidate for County Clerk. “This is something that my
opponent is ill-prepared for based on his chosen career path in our modern era of machine voting.”

“And all of this can be done without increasing the Camden County Clerk's annual budget,” Moran explained. “In fact, after these services are successfully implemented, I anticipate a reduction in operating costs because the new system will be less paper-dependent and eliminates the need to hire high-priced
consultants.”

With polls showing support for the Corzine Democrats at eye-popping lows, reform Republicans are poised to capitalize on voter discontent and bring real change to government at all levels in New Jersey.

“As Chris Christie takes the fight to Jon Corzine and exposes his failed record, Republicans all across our state will benefit from the opportunity to draw a clear contrast between our pro-jobs agenda and the wasteful spending of the Corzine Democrats,” DeMichele concluded. “We can’t wait for November 3rd.”

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Corzine's Budget Forces Camden County Municipalities
To Shoulder Unfair & Disproportionate Burden

Governor's budget proposes $1 billion in new taxes
in the most heavily taxed state in the union

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Governor Jon Corzine (D-Hoboken) delivered his annual budget address to the Legislature today, declaring his support for $1 billion in new taxes but no fundamental or permanent reforms to control spending or the growth of state government.

"Jon Corzine's reckless and irresponsible fiscal policy has fallen to new lows with today's budget address," said Camden County GOP Chairman Richard DeMichele, Jr. "The Governor continues to saddle our towns with deep cuts intended to force consolidation measures that citizens across the state oppose, and he has introduced $1 billion in new taxes."

"New Jersey deserves a Governor who will fight on behalf of the people of this state, not against them," DeMichele added. "When Jon Corzine raises our taxes and implements his budget gimmicks, he proves again and again that he truly has brought his Wall Street values to our state government."

"With today's address, Jon Corzine declared that he does not care about on middle class families across New Jersey and the struggles they face," DeMichele concluded. "In November, the voters will have an opportunity to begin our economic recovery by sending Jon Corzine and the tax-raising Trenton crew to join the ranks of the unemployed, just like they have done to too many of our fellow New Jerseyans."

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John Custodio, Democrat for Assembly?

Gloucester Township Councilwoman and former Senate candidate
Shelley Lovett says Custodio would be great in Trenton,
would stand up to Jon Corzine and fight for taxpayers

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP -- Councilwoman Shelley Lovett of Gloucester Township has responded to recent rumors that John Custodio, a former President of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District, may be recruited to run as a Democrat for the General Assembly in the 4th Legislative District this year.

"As someone who has run in the 4th Legislative District before, I know that John would be a great representative in the Assembly," Lovett said. "John and I are both strong fiscal conservatives who would stand up to Jon Corzine and fight for taxpayers in South Jersey."

"Unfortunately, John would never fit in with the Democrats in Trenton because he holds his fiscal conservative principles so strongly," Lovett added. "We know from the recent incident with Assemblyman Greenwald that those who speak up against Jon Corzine will be muzzled."

Local Republican leaders also commented on the rumors of Custodio's potential candidacy.

"This is insane," said Gloucester Township GOP Chairman Ray Polidoro. "It's more likely that Dan Hutchison would run as a Republican--again--than John Custodio would run as a Democrat. It's clear to me that the Democrats are just nervous and desperate."

"I know John Custodio," said Camden County GOP Chairman Richard DeMichele, Jr., said. "And John Custodio is no Democrat. He wouldn't be caught dead on a ticket with a tax-hiker like Paul Moriarty."

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Greenwald Talks Tough on Property Taxes,
But Folds Under Pressure

Chaiman of Budget Committee says
he will fight to protect property tax rebates,
but goes AWOL when Corzine tells him to zip it

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Voorhees), chairman of the Budget Committee in the General Assembly, recently claimed that he would fight to keep New Jerseyans' property tax rebates "to the death." But shortly after making his statement, Greenwald disappeared from public view, and his office refused to comment on his claim.

"The fact is that Lou Greenwald tried to score cheap political points by coming out in favor of keeping property tax rebates," said Camden County GOP Chairman Richard DeMichele, Jr. "But Greenwald didn't clear his comments with the real boss in town, Jon Corzine, and when Corzine found out, suddenly Greenwald could not be found."

"As Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald has been reckless and irresponsible in making New Jersey unaffordable and unfriendly to small business," DeMichele added. "Lou Greenwald won't stand up to Jon Corzine, and he won't stand up for South Jersey taxpayers."

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Mainstream Republicans are avoiding holding county conventions to give former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie favorable ballot placement in the primary, according to Rick Shaftan, the chief strategist for Christie rival Steve Lonegan.

"This is exactly why we can't win elections in this state.  They don't want any public involvement at all. It's a country club," said Shaftan.  "So we never expected any kind of fair process from these guys, because they hate conservatives more than they want to beat Democrats."

Shaftan made the comments in response to Camden County Republican Chairman Rick DeMichele's decision to award Christie the organization line without holding a convention where county committee members could vote on the decision.  The Camden GOP did hold a straw poll last month, where Christie won.

"Come on, it was a straw poll.  The guy invites his friends and says it was a straw poll," said Shaftan.

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Joe Oxley last week awarded Christie the line without holding a convention where county committee members could vote, arguing that the party had in recent months failed to reach quorums at its meetings. 

Oxley's endorsement came only after current and former GOP officials had a chance to meet with the leading candidates for Governor.  The Christie campaign has released endorsements from most Monmouth GOP officials. Read More >

Camden County GOP Chairman
Endorses Chris Christie for Governor

Chairman says Christie brings leadership,
prepared to govern from day one;
awards county line

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Camden County GOP Chairman Richard DeMichele, Jr., has announced his endorsement of Chris Christie for Governor in this year's election, thereby awarding Christie the county line.

"Chris Christie is a candidate who brings real leadership to our party," DeMichele said. "In Camden County, we have seen first hand the way that corruption and graft dramatically increase the cost of government. We know all too well about no-show jobs and trading taxpayer money for personal gain. And we know that it was Chris Christie who, as U.S. Attorney, convicted Wayne Bryant on two counts of fraud."

"We in Camden County know what Chris Christie has done as U.S. Attorney, and we know what he will do as Governor," DeMichele added. "He will stand by his convictions, he will do what is right, and he will put our state back on the right track again. I am proud to endorse him in this year's race, and I will be proud to call Chris Christie my Governor."

The Camden County GOP endorsement follows a January 21 straw poll of county committee members in which Christie won 77 percent of the vote.

"Chris Christie's overwhelming support in our straw poll was no surprise to me, because Camden County Republicans know that we need a leader who will bring fiscal responsibility to Trenton," DeMichele said. "Camden County has the highest property taxes in the state as a percentage of home value, and the tenth highest in the entire United States. We know that Chris Christie is exactly the kind of Governor we need to restore fiscal sanity and create meaningful tax relief for South Jersey."

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Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie won a “non-binding” straw poll conducted by the Camden County Republican Committee (CCRC) at last night’s county committee meeting, according to a release issued by the CCRC. 

The four Republican gubernatorial candidates appeared on the ballot and the results were overwhelmingly favorable to Christie, who received 77% to former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan’s 23%.  

Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) and Franklin Township Mayor Brian D. Levine did not receive any votes.

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Christie Wins Camden County Straw Poll

Strong grassroots support shown for
Chris Christie in key South Jersey county

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Former U.S. Attorney and gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie was victorious in a non-binding straw poll conducted by the Camden County Republican Committee at last night's county committee meeting.

On the ballot were all four major candidates that have entered or are preparing to enter the race. None of the candidates were invited to appear or speak so that the party could determine the early consensus before traditional campaigning began.

When the final votes were tallied, the final results were: Chris Christie -- 77%, Steve Lonegan -- 23%. Assemblyman Rick Merkt and Mayor Brian Levine did not receive any votes.

"Last night's results show that Chris Christie has a strong base of support in South Jersey," said Rick DeMichele, chairman of the Camden County GOP. "We wanted to have as much input as possible from our county committee heading into the endorsement process, and we found that Chris Christie has genuine grassroots support in the heart of South Jersey."

"Camden County is going to be critical in this year's election, and we're excited about the opportunity to help elect a new Republican governor this year," added DeMichele.

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