Steven Lonegan

Gov. Jon Corzine's consideration of a Republican running mate, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck, is an idea that has worked for two other Democratic Governors in recent years.  In Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius picked Republicans to run with her in 2002 (John Moore, a former Kansas Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Cessna executive) and 2006 (Mark Parkinson, a former legislator and GOP State Chairman who became Governor when Sebelius resigned in April.)  Brian Schweitzer, the Democratic Governor of Montana, picked Republican State Sen. John Bohlinger as his running mate in 2004; they were re-elected last year. 

The New Jersey Republican News is a newspaper published by Steve Lonegan’s campaign.  So an interview in the most recent edition between the NJRN and Lonegan was essentially Lonegan interviewing himself. The best part was at the end, when Lonegan thanks himself for answering his own questions.

Christopher Christie had substantially more money going into the final eleven days of the Republican gubernatorial primary than either of his rivals, according to reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).  Christie had $2,347,552 cash on hand, compared to $304,029 for Steven Lonegan and $692 for Rick Merkt.   But the numbers are less significant than in past elections because ELEC, closed for the state employee furlough last Friday, didn't receive the reports until Tuesday and did not release them until today.

The Record has endorsed former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie for the Republican nomination for Governor, saying that he is the best choice among the three GOP candidates.  But the North Jersey newspaper says their endorsement is made "with some reservations."

"When challenged about the lack of specifics in his platform, he refuses to provide substantive answers. He promises to cut taxes, reduce the size of government and maintain the property tax rebates. He doesn't explain how," the editorial said. "The lack of details is frustrating."

The Record says that the details in former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan's plan "are of greater concern."

"We do not believe that his proposed 2.9 percent flat tax is realistic. There is virtually no legislative support for such a plan. And his proposal of cutting anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 state jobs is not realistic and would have a devastating impact on state services," the newspaper said.  "We cannot fault Lonegan for wanting to be a catalyst for change. It is the change Lonegan would bring that makes us uncomfortable. State government is too big, the bureaucracy too entrenched and there are too many ineffective programs that continue in perpetuity."

Mitt Romney's decision to pick a horse in the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary likely accomplishes two things: it boosts former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie's standing among conservatives, and it strengthens Romney's chances of picking up organizational and fundraising support in New Jersey if he seeks the 2012 GOP nomination for President.

Christie leads former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, who has been the de facto leader of the conservative wing of the New Jersey GOP for the last six years, by 23 percentage points, according to a poll released last week by Quinnipiac University.  Christie has appealed to conservative Republican primary voters through endorsements from other conservatives, including U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton), whose seal of approval among pro-life voters is important.

The three Republican candidates for Governor will debate on New Jersey 101.5 at 7PM next Tuesday.   This will be the first time Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) joins former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan in a formal debate.  101.5's Eric Scott will moderate.    Questions can be asked by calling 800-283-1015.

In the June, 2005 primary election, New Jersey Republicans selected as their candidate for governor Douglas Forrester, a nominee who, on the abortion issue, was an outspoken pro-choice advocate, opposed school vouchers, and refused to support President George W. Bush’s appointment of strict constructionist Justice Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court. Four years later, on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, barring a totally unforeseen event, New Jersey Republicans will nominate as its gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie, a candidate who opposes abortion, favors school vouchers, and advocates the appointment of conservative strict constructionist jurists to the federal and New Jersey courts.

The three Republican candidates for Governor will debate on New Jersey 101.5 at 7PM next Tuesday.   This will be the first time Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) joins former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan in a formal debate.  101.5's Eric Scott will moderate.    Questions can be asked by calling 800-283-1015.

There are some strong technical similarities between a new television ad for Republican gubernatorial candidate Steven Lonegan produced by consultant Rick Shaftan and ads for Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith that were produced last year by his consultant, Paul Swibinski. The ads include similar silhouettes, fonts, and other graphics. 

Shaftan, who works for conservative candidates, and Swibinski, who does considerable work for candidates backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, are longtime friends.  But Swibinski is not secretly working for Lonegan are wrong; instead, the two firms use the same video editing house.  That company, PolitickerNJ.com is told, is under strict instructions not to comingle political work brought to them from Shaftan and Swibinski.  There’s a good chance the video editor will get the wrath of Shaftan sometime today.