Unanue launches Senate bid from Colorado

By Matt Friedman | March 24th, 2008 - 6:19pm
| More

As Goya Foods heir Andy Unanue starts his first ever race for elected office, he’ll have an experienced team waiting for him.

Once he gets back from Colorado.

Unanue is on a vacation with his extended family in Vail, and he won’t be returning to New Jersey in time to attend the Republican conventions scheduled for this week in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Middlesex and Salem Counties. He planned the trip a year ago, he said, and even a Senate candidacy isn’t enough to make him shirk the familial responsibility.

Instead, he’ll send surrogates to the conventions, and will address screening committees in conference calls. He plans to return to his homes in New Jersey and New York City early next month.

“I’m not a politician. I don’t really worry about how hard it’s going to be,” Unanue said when asked if not being able to attend the conventions will hurt his chances. “I’m worried about winning the primary and the election. I’m in the process of aligning myself with what I would consider the best and most talented staff.”

And who will make up that staff? Expect to see some familiar faces.

After Anne Estabrook dropped out of the race earlier this month, she essentially put her campaign workers on standby, offering as severance their full salaries for the period ending June 3rd —the date of the primary. Most of those workers have not moved on, and the lease remains active for Estabrook’s campaign office on Freehold’s Main Street.

Former Estabrook campaign manager Mark Duffy has already jumped on board. So has former Estabrook spokesman and Monmouth County Republican operative John Raue, who issued a Unanue press release today.

Unanue said that he talked with Estabrook today about hiring some members of her staff, and she recommended that he take the whole lot.

“Being that I am away I have spoken to (Estabrook campaign manager Mark Duffy extensively over the phone. I agree with Anne that he’s top notch . I get along with him very well,” said Unanue. “He and I will be working very closely over the next three weeks.”

 

Less than 24 hours into his candidacy, it’s clear that Unanue is the pick of many members of the Republican establishment, who were hesitant to get behind rivals Murray Sabrin or Joe Pennacchio. That Unanue is in the process of taking on the campaign staff of Estabrook, the previous establishment candidate, is the most obvious evidence of that yet.

It’s tempting to see Unanue, a wealthy businessman who plans to self-fund his candidacy, in the same mold as Estabrook. But Unanue has not yet made any public appearances or statements beyond his letter to GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson, so most of his stances are still a mystery to those who don’t know him intimately.

Unanue said that he plans to issue position papers within a week or so, and didn’t want to attach an ideological label to himself. But he did answer a question about his stance on abortion.

“While I am against partial-birth abortion and late-term abortion and for parental notification, I am pro-choice,” he said.

Some prominent out-of-state Republicans reached out to Unanue to encourage him to run, including National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (R-NV), who had previously supported Anne Estabrook (not in his official NRSC capacity), and Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL).

“Getting calls like this from Senators like this, who lead busy lives, went a long way in helping me make my decision,” he said.

Unanue said that he’s been overwhelmed by the support he’s encountered, and has gotten about six hours of sleep during the last 96 hours.

Uanue will likely have to outline some of his positions soon, since he needs to start campaigning immediately. That means convincing the rank and file in a number of upcoming conventions to give him the party line – even in his absence.

Unanue will start in Monmouth County, where Republicans are set to hold a convention on Wednesday. He’ll join a conference call with Chairman Adam Puharic and the county screening committee tomorrow evening.

“I’m very interested in hearing about Andy’s story, because I find from what I’ve talked to the people around Andy, that some of his positions are sort of mainstream New Jersey conservative positions, which make me very happy,” said Puharic.

Puharic added that he doesn’t understand why Sabrin is bothering to attend his county’s convention, since he pledged to run lines against all of the other candidates. And he was puzzled, he said, that Pennacchio never reached out to him after news broke about his 1991 policy papers that caused a stir in Republican circles.

“I would have expected him to spend some time with me on the phone to explain what that was all about and what that meant, because it has me concerned and surprised,” he said.

Even if Unanue doesn’t win the Monmouth convention, the party’s bylaws allow the chairman ultimate discretion in awarding the party line.

On Thursday evening, Unanue will make a trip to meet the Burlington County Republicans’ executive committee before heading down to Ocean and Atlantic Counties to face off against Pennacchio and Sabrin in those conventions.

On Sunday, he’ll compete at the Salem County convention.

“He called me on Saturday and said he was interested in running,” said Salem County GOP Chairman Paul Reed. “I had a good conversation with him, and I think he’s the man we’re looking for.”

In Cape May County, Republican Chairman David Von Savage has personally endorsed Unanue.

The Burlington County Republicans had endorsed Estabrook, and Chairman Bill Layton said that it’s too late to reconvene the county committee. So the executive committee will decide who gets the party line. Layton said he will abide by their decision, but expressed excitement about Unanue’s candidacy.

“I still want to wait and see where he stands on the issues and what his general feelings are about different things, but his candidacy in general is just an exciting opportunity for Republicans,” said Layton. “Just like (state Sen.) Diane Allen would have been an exciting opportunity for us having a woman running for senate, now we have a Hispanic male with a great business background, great education and he’s someone who can stand toe-to-toe with Frank Lautenberg.”

Layton said that Unanue’s absences from county conventions aren’t going to be of particular concern.

“I just think he’s got his priorities straight, to be honest with you. He puts his family first,” he said.

nice roll out!!

ummmm.....yeah, he doesn't seem that serious.

If I was a GOP County Committee person, I probably wouldn't vote for a guy I knew so little about--unless he stood in front of me and I could size him up.

Not that Unanue probably cares too much about the County lines.  I imagine he's taking a long-term "outpsend everyone" strategy and hope for some Hispanic turnout in the GOP primary. 

Not exactly a primetime roll-out.  He seems more like the accidental candidate.

 

running because they begged him...

They begged him because he's rich because that's what they wanted apparently (someone to fund their own campaign)... wow, I disagree with that kind of politics.

 

Anyway... this guy seems extremely unexpereinced.  This will be interesting. "Instead, he’ll send surrogates to the conventions" *siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*

Anyone but the other two

It doesn't matter. These county committees will vote for ANYONE but Pennachio and Sabrin at this point. Both of the other candidates are stained.

And yeah, its annoying that he's not coming back from Colorado, especially for such an important event. However, we can't judge him, and the fact that he values family over politics says a lot about his character. On the same vein, I dislike Sabrin, but respect that he missed a convention because he had to teach a class.

OK, so he supports abortion

Does he stand for anything else or is he the typical NJ Establishment One Issue candidate?

If he's pro-choice he's good enough for me

I hope he is also pro-environment, pro-immigrant and anti-gun so he can stand a chance of winning the election against Lautenberg.

I don't think he has to worry about Jersey Joe or Sabrin at all.

I think Pennacchio's campaign has been disgusting accusing Andy of using prostitutes and taking drugs (or at least his supporters online).  And Sabrin's comments today were silly calling him a "playboy nightclub owner".  Don't they understand no one is listening to them (if a tree falls in the forest and no one sees it - does it fall?).

Way to go Andy!

Gal, if you feel that way...

Why don't you vote for Lautenberg?  He sounds like your kind of guy.

No Republican is going to beat Frank Lautenberg by promising to be a younger version of the ultra-liberal Senator. 

 

Andy does not sleep!

Good sign for the NJ GOP. It's newest rescuer does not sleep. He got "about six hours of sleep during the last 96 hours." That's an excellent sign, because with Estabrook campaign staff and Tom's backing you got to spent many sleepless nights on the campaign trail at least until June primaries.

Another encouraging sign is that Andy is a family man. Apparently, he likes to spent vacation with family. However, exposing them to a tough NJ campaign does not hurt his family after all. Let's wait until liberal media, who already fell in love with him (Hispanic, rich, businessman, etc.) will disect his private and business life in general campaign assuming he can make it past June.

I forgot that Tom is backing him up. Good luck to all of us.

What About Middlesex?

The article says he is attending 2 county conventions on Thursday and one on Sunday, but makes no menion of the Middlesex County Convention on Saturday. Middlesex County produces the 3rd or 4th largest Republican vote in a primary election so it shouldn't be skipped or ignored.

Laughable

The race that was an establishment joke is now an embarrassment: 

"UnanueBrook"

http://www.gopusanj.com/wordpress/?p=1614

 

Joke?

NO. The real embarrassment is Sabrin, both his attitude and his views (He is a Libertarian, not a Republican).

Jersey Joe is still a nice guy, but the Manifesto was also embarrassing.

No Convention Attendance?!?!

LongTime, the article stated, "Unanue is on a vacation with his extended family in Vail, and he won’t be returning to New Jersey in time to attend the Republican conventions scheduled for this week in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Middlesex and Salem Counties."  So he won't be attending ANY convetions in March.

I rail against the state Dem's for not allowing choice in their party (Lautenberg replaces Torricelli without a vote, McGreevey passes torch to Codey after deadline to prevent an election, Corzine buys primaries) and I am not happy to see Wilson & Co. endorsing people with money just because they have money.  The fact that this guy doesn't think the conventions are important enough to attend speaks volumes.  While Pennacchio will keep plugging away and shaking hands, Unanue will campaign at conventions by proxy and try to persuade with donations.

We are becoming more and more like the Dem's every year.  Thus, we give people no reason to vote Republican.

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” - Thomas Jefferson

njgopgal - If a tree falls .....does it fall?

It's a philosphical question:  If a tree falls in a forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?   

 

opps I forgot to vote, just a couple of times.

Are the NJ Republicans that desperate that they will take any dope with a fat wallet? Does anyone on the GOP side vet and research these candidates?

Mr Goya not only has an colorful checkered past, but Andy Boy has forgotten to vote in many elections....Ah gee another flawed GOP US Senate Candidate who will use their check book to self fund a failed US Senate race. What a surprise! 

They better not forget Middlesex

Ill be glad to be there voting for the 13th CD and Senate primaries on Saturday. Unanue on the slopes won't sell by Raritan Bay!

I find it interesting

that Andy is "inheriting" Anne's organization.  For many of us in-the-trenches Republicans, it only reinforces our contempt for Tom Wilson and his elitists. 

This nonsense about staying on vacation may put forward "family values".  Yet, ask anybody who has run for councilman,  this is a full time job.  One can't delegate campaigning and rubber chicken dinners.

Mr. Bean

Ah yes... the lemmings can now breathe a sign of relief...the spigots of cash are flowing freely once again into the Republican county chairs coffers ...all is right with the world  -March on County Committee lemmings, march on.

 

 

Experience? Voting?

What's Murray's experience other than running and losing badly several times?  And while you're at it, take a look at his voting record...maybe some of you don't recall the 1997 campaign where Whitman nailed him during a debate for his voting record.  Come on guys, let's at least be consistent.  I think it's admirable that the guys has his priorities straight - aren't we the party of family values afterall?  As for the disgusting innuendo being leveled, it is really sad to see people making wild accusations without any basis.  How would the Sabrinistas respond if someone suggested that Murray needs to answer the following questions:  Have you ever been charged with a crime involving domestic abuse?  Would your wife be willing to take a lie detector test to prove it?  THat's just as bad as suggesting, without basis, any of the garbage that got thrown at Unanue before he announced.  Hey Mountaintop Shaftan - maybe you could tell newjerseygopgal why she should vote for you DEMOCRAT clients in North Arlington...you, sir, are a big giant phony hypocrite.  WHy don't you at least have the sack to admit that you don't care about the party and will work for whomever will pay you?  Anybody stop to think for a minute that the Gilmore and Wilson types aren't endorsing him just because he has money, but because he might actually win?  Seriously, someone explain to me how either Murry "legalize drugs and prostition" Sabrin or Joe "eliminate social security and medicare" Pennachio are going to be able to wage a campaign that isn't on defense from the minute Lautenberg starts using his fortune to define them using their own words?  Those guys are good and smart people who have something to offer, but their statements make them a huge liability and their inability to fund their campaigns gives Lautenberg the opportunity to start spending in September and go unanswered for 4 weeks!  And when they do answer, all they'll be doing is defending the words they used, not taking it to Lautenberg.  I'm an idealist, but you gotta have a dose of reality too.  We know very little about Unanue and everyone wants to label him and paint him in terms that suit their personal preference.  How about we give the guy a chance to campaign and lay out his ideas...afterall, the election isn't on April 7, it's on June 3! 

Voting

Hi, I can't say much but it' real embarrassing.I think it's Sabrin who should keep a check on his attitude. colorado drug rehab

Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest: February 8, 2010

Former Gov. Corzine talks about life in Hoboken, the corruption scandal and the futureMore than two weeks have passed since Jon Corzine moved out of the governor’s home at Drumthwacket to be succeeded by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who beat him in November’s election. In blue...

Wally Edge

Just before leaving the Senate Presidency, Richard Codey (D-Roseland) appointed Orange Mayor Eldridge Hawkins to the Congressional Redistricting Commission.  Now his successor, Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) is considering making his own...
Mark Anton, the Chairman of the Suburban Propane Gas Corporation, was a half-term Republican from Essex County who was elected in a 1953 special election after Alfred Clapp, who had mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the GOP gubernatorial election...
Assemblyman Herbert Conaway (D-Delanco) has dropped his bid for Burlington County Democratic Chairman, notifying party leaders by letter this weekend.  That leaves Gary Haman as the leading candidate to replace Alice Furia, who took over last...
New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President Dennis Robinson may be the new Bryan Christiansen, the embattled Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority (PVSC) Executive Director.  Robinson is using public funds to pay a politically connected...
The 2012 New Jersey presidential primary is scheduled for two years from today, and so far there has been no serious talk of changing the 2007 law that moved the 2008 primary from June to February in an effort to make the state more relevant in the...

Contributors

Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get done... more »
A new Governor and Legislature offer the perfect opportunity to re-think the Trenton status quo and for experienced observers and practitioners to offer their best ideas on improving the... more »
 I grew up in a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey where gambling was part of every day life.  Many of my relatives gambled.  The guys gambled on games, and... more »
Due to a highly inappropriate breach of etiquette by President Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address, the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United... more »
When life is bad---natural disasters, families losing homes or jobs, an attack on our country, health crises--people come together and do things that are inspiringly good.  After the... more »
Our new Governor suffers from no lack of advice.  Much of it, contained in the transition reports, deserves prompt attention.  Obviously, economic prosperity benefits everyone, and – as... more »
The agenda has been ambitious.Jobs.  Homeland security.  Iraq.  Afghanistan.  Healthcare.  Energy.  Banking.   Taken together, the Obama Presidency has all the makings of a compelling story -- action, adventure, emotion,... more »
The new regime pushes the only conservative off the Budget Committee.   This is a direct result of pressure from a certain Republican County Chairperson who was hired by Garden... more »
Now that  the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this election. First and... more »
Last night, when Sarah Palin took the stage at the first ever Tea Party Convention in Nashville, TN to the sounds of cheering from those who could afford the... more »
New Jersey's spending and borrowing spree over the past three decades is coming home to roost.  State debt has increased 700% under both Republican and Democratic administrations, and spending... more »
On January 11th New Jersey’s 213th Legislature ended its session, followed the next day by the commencement of the 214th Legislature, with newly elected officials being sworn into office,... more »
On January 6, 2010, several newspapers published articles with titles like “no more aid for struggling cities”, “Christie will cut state aid” and the like; furthermore, in the body... more »
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, you target teachers. That’s not a positive note to start your tenure. You forget that the Teachers’ Union makes decisions on its own, such... more »