Still another hat in the 3rd district ring

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 12:00:00 PM EST

If you thought things were shaping up to be fun in the 3rd Congressional District GOP pending primary, they just got a little more crowded yesterday according to the Atlantic City Press:

A former Democratic freeholder candidate and recent Republican campaign organizer is adding his name to the growing list of Republicans running for the party's nomination in the 3rd Congressional District race.
Joseph Rullo, 40, of Toms River, said he is going through the process to be endorsed by the Ocean County Republican Organization, but said he would still run in the primary even if not backed by the party.

Here is some more on Rullo including what he's already done for his campaign:

Rullo owns Today's Solar Energy in Toms River and worked on Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly's 2008 primary campaign for congress. He has already opened a campaign headquarters, filed with the Federal Election Commission, and started a Web site that has, along with his bio and campaign platforms, pictures of his two cats.

Of course this news was not welcome to Bill Layton, the chairman in Burlington County and head cheerleader for Jon Runyan:

Burlington County Republican Chairman William Layton said he had not heard of Rullo or his candidacy until contacted Monday by The Press of Atlantic City.
Layton said he wished Rullo luck, but thought the keys to winning the upcoming election would be name recognition, fundraising ability and a personal story to contrast with Democratic Rep. John Adler.

Translation: If you're not Jon Runyan and you're not bringing a bank, you need not apply. And while George Gilmore got notice of Rullo's effort, it seems he was caught off guard by the stance the candidate has already taken on his run:

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore said Rullo had reached out to him saying Rullo was interested in running but not that he would be running in the primary regardless of the county's selection process results.
Gilmore said county organizations are put in place for the purpose of deciding what is best for the party as a whole, and that a contested primary would only weaken its chances in the general election.
"If we get in a primary fight, regardless of where candidates are coming from, it's not a good thing for keeping the unity of the party and focusing our attention on Mr. Adler and his record," he said.

Translation: I want to pick my own candidate through my organization and if you don't listen choosing to run anyway, it screws us all. This one is shaping up to be good. So far candidates saying they plan to run include Rullo, Jon Runyan, Mo Hill and Justin Murphy. Who else wants to join the party?

Jason Springer :: Still another hat in the 3rd district ring