Steve Ayscue

Poltical junkies should not miss NJN's On the Record this weekend: Democratic strategist Steve Ayscue and GOP consultant Bill Pascoe face off in a discussion on the race for State Senate in the 1st district. Ayscue is backing Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, while Pascoe is working for the Republican incumbent, Senator Nicholas Asselta. Ayscue and Pascoe have the potential to be incredibly entertaining, and you can be sure they won't agree on much in this hotly contested legislative race.

Daniel Hutchison, the Republican candidate for Congress against Rob Andrews in 2004, has switched parties and may be running as a Democrat for Gloucester Township Council. Hutchison sealed the deal at a breakfast with Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman James Beach and Donald Norcross , and Democratic strategist Steve Ayscue on Tuesday in Blackwood. Republicans failed in their bid to recruit Hutchison, has been actively courted by Camden County Democratic leaders, to run for the State Assembly in the fourth district earlier this year.

Hutchison was the winner of a very close primary: he defeated John Cusack by just twelve votes in June 2004. Gloucester County Republicans withdrew their endorsement after finding out the Hutchison had contributed $250 to Democratic Assemblyman Robert Smith after he had already won their organization line.

Republicans have dubbed the Camden County Democratic machine as "La Cosa Norcross," and now George Norcross really is the godfather: the South Jersey Democratic leader accepted the godfather title on Sunday at the christening of Collette Mary Ayscue, the daughter of longtime Norcross lieutenant and Democratic strategist Steve Ayscue.