Last reality TV star to run in N.J. got beat 2-1

By Wally Edge | July 10th, 2009 - 1:20pm
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The last reality TV contestant from New Jersey to run for public office was Brian McDowell, who appeared on The Apprentice in 2005 and was fired by Donald Trump after the second week.  Later that year, McDowell became the Democratic candidate for North Wildwood Councilman-At-Large.  He lost the general election to Republican Robert Maschio by 599 votes, a 66%-34% margin.

Gov. Jon Corzine is reportedly considering Apprentice Season 4 winner Randal Pinkett to run on his ticket for Lt. Governor.

Also an Apprentice contestant that season: Tara Dowdell, who worked as an aide to Gov. James E. McGreevey.

Another reality TV star to run for office in New Jersey was James Morrison,who was the runner-up on ABC's The Mole in 2001. Morrison won the Democratic nomination for State Senator in 2003 after mounting a write-in campaign after no one filed to run against Republican State Sen. Robert Littell (R-Franklin).  He won just 32% in a campaign hampered by a lack of party support.  Then Sussex County Democratic Chairman Charles Cart (who was later convicted on corruption charges) called on Morrison to drop out of the race after nude photographs taken of him appeared in the Village Voice.  Cart also seemed to have a problem with Morrison's sexual orientation.

 

 

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