CIANJ could be top business trade group if Christie wins

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC), which is part of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), has endorsed 37 candidates for State Assembly - including two Democrats.   There is some political significance to these endorsements: if Republican Christopher Christie becomes Governor, CIANJ is positioned to become the dominant pro-business trade association in the state.  Republicans have complained that the relationship between recent Democratic Governors and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association have been too cozy.  Indeed, some Republican leaders say that if the GOP wins the governorship, the chamber and BIA may have to make some leadership changes to remain relevant.

All this puts CIANJ, whose chairman, Richard Goldberg, was an early Christie supporter, in a potentially good position.  GOP leaders view Joan Verplanck of the Chamber of Commerce and Phil Kirshner of BIA, as entirely too close to Gov. Jon Corzine.

In Assembly races, PENPAC is endorsing Republicans Michael Donohue and John McCann against Democratic Assemblymen Nelson Albano (D-Vineland) and Matthew Milam (D-Vineland) in District 1; Republicans Rob Calabro and Bill Harvey against incumbents Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton) in District 14; Republican Joseph Sinagra in his bid to oust District 18 incumbents Peter Barnes (D-Edison) and Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield); Martin Marks and Bo Vastine against incumbents Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) and Gerald Green (D-Plainfield) in District 22; Barry Funt against District 27 incumbents John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Mila Jasey (D-South Orange); and Donald Diorio and Carmen Pio Costa in District 36 against incumbents Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) and Frederick Scalara (D-Nutley).

PENPAC has also endorsed Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Franklin) and Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Fort Lee).