Lonegan would be first conservative to win a general election since 1942
By Wally Edge
If Steve Lonegan wins election as Governor, he might be the first conservative Republican to win a statewide election in New Jersey since Albert Hawkes ousted incumbent William Smathers in the 1942 U.S. Senate race. Hawkes served as President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before running for the Senate - his first bid for public office.
Since then, Republican statewide winners have been considered moderates: Governors Alfred Driscoll, William Cahill, Thomas Kean and Christine Todd Whitman; and U.S. Senators Robert Hendrickson, Alexander Smith, and Clifford Case. Other Republicans widely viewed as conservatives, including Charles Sandman, Jeffrey Bell, and Bret Schundler, were unsuccessful general election candidates.
One more factoid on New Jersey conservatives: Charles Edison, the son of the inventor and the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Franklin Roosevelt, was elected Governor as a Democrat in 1940. Edison, who moved to Manhattan after he left office, split with President Harry Truman over the firing of General Douglas McArthur. According to a biographer, Edison became "disturbed by the growth of federal power under both Democratic and Republican presidents, and opposed the foreign policies of both major parties." In 1963, he officially became a member of the Conservative Party of New York.
Contributors
Wally Edge
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
Bob Torricelli
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 ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
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 ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- On budget issues, Christie says everything is on the table
- Christie transition team members to assume more specified roles tomorrow
- Bowser to Joe D.: rethink Codey banishment now that GOP in charge of gov's office
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Between two Tuesdays ago and next Monday: welcome to Atlantic City
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Scutari argues that Christie's victory does not alter dynamics of senate leadership
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Runyan meeting with Gilmore this morning
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- On budget issues, Christie says everything is on the table
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- NJ 101.5 listeners backed Christie 2-1 over Corzine, according to new poll
- DiVincenzo to launch re-election campaign next month
- Weinberg to Sweeney: honor your committment on marriage equality
- Coniglio reports to prison today
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"An Irish wake." -- New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittell, on Senate President Richard Codey's party in Atlantic City.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 19 2009
Syndicate
