Tom Wyka

The Fuzzy Math Award for 2008 goes to the campaign coordinator for Democrat Tom Wyka, who attempts to spell out exactly how Rodney Frelinghuysen will lose his seat in Congress next month.  Milin Shah cites the Wyka campaign's "current polling" as evidence of the suddenly competitive race in this strongly-Republican congressional district, although the last Federal Election Commission report shows more money spent at Blimpie's in Morristown than on polling (zero). Wyka has recieved $60,001, as of his last report.

The text of the Wyka statement:

Temple Beth Am of Parsippany will host an 11th Congressional District candidates forum between 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday, Oct. 26.

U.S. Rep Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Harding) and his Democratic challenger, Tom Wyka, are scheduled to speak and answer questions from the audience.

The event is free and open to the public.

Frelinghuysen defeated Wyka in their 2006 matchup.

BRANCHBURG- Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) helped the Somerset County Democratic Party raise about $50,000 at a private fundraiser here on Saturday.

"Bob Menendez came up from Washington because he believes in the potential to turn this county blue," said Zenon Christodoulou, vice chair of the party.

Christodoulou and his fellow Democrats are fighting a long tradition of Republican rule in Somerset.

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) isn’t taking his bid for a 15th term for granted, raising $143,300 over the last three months and now has $503,944 cash on hand.  His Democratic challenger, history professor Josh Zeitz, raised $108,101 during the same period.  Zeitz has raised $259,267 so far and has $124,535 in the bank.

Statewide, Zeitz ranks second in challenger fundraising.  Dennis Shulman, a blind Rabbi and psychologist running against Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) raised $270,000 last quarter, according to his campaign.  He has raised $585,000 so far, with $258,000 cash on hand.

Most New Jersey challengers are faring poorly in the fundraising game.

This election season, there are hotly contested races in the 3rd and 7th Congressional Districts. Then, one tier down, there are a couple of races in which challengers have some inkling of hope against a well-entrenched incumbent and may count on a bit of national party support.

And then there are the challengers to whom national parties don’t even bother paying lip service, like Tom Wyka in the 11th District, Vince Micco in the 9th District and Robert McLeod in the 6th District, among others.

Two Democrats are competing for the chance to challenge six-term Republican Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen in 2006, according to Daily Record columnist Fred Snowflack: Chatham Township Committeeman William "Jack" Hartford, 55, and Tom Wyka, a 39-year-old Information Technology consultant from Parsippany who has been an active opponent of the war in Iraq. Frelinghuysen was re-elected in 2004 by a 68%-31% margin over Mount Olive Councilman James Buell.