Republicans need to find Munoz replacement before Monday filing deadline

The filing deadline is Monday at 4PM, which means the campaign for State Assembly in the 21st district that some Republicans didn't want to start until after Eric Munoz's funeral today is already a little late.  Regardless of who wins the special election convention to fill the remaining ten months of his term, Republicans will need to file a candidate by Monday afternoon to avoid mounting a write-in campaign to win the June primary.

Republicans will likely put the name of a placeholder on their petitions - someone who will agree to drop out so the new candidate can run.  But election law in New Jersey is always a little fuzzy, and technically - not that the New Jersey Supreme Court necessarily cares - the Committee on Vacancies expires three days after the petitions are filed.  That could mean the Republicans will need to get their act together by next Thursday.

The other issue for the GOP is that they cannot use the petitions already circulated for Munoz and simply change the name of the candidate.  Munoz's petitions also carry the name of his running mate, Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield).  Bramnick can use those petitions, even with Munoz's name, but another candidate cannot ride those coattails. That means a new Assembly candidate, permanent or replacement, must get 100 valid signatures by 4PM on Monday.

If Republicans drop the ball, it could open the door for a candidate without the support of the party organization to file petitions and find themselves unopposed in the GOP primary.