Not quite the ringing endorsement out of Ocean County for Runyan

by: Jason Springer

Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 03:00:00 PM EST

Jon Runyan may be getting the support of people in Ocean County, but it certainly doesn't seem like they are very excited about it. Lets see what Mo Hill had to say taking his name out of consideration:

"Rather than divide our party in an expensive primary, I have decided to withdraw my name for consideration and throw my support to Jon Runyan," Hill said in the statement. "Jon has the financial ability to match Adler's fundraising abilities as well as considerable name recognition from his professional career."

So he's got money and people know his name cause he was a football player. Sounds enthusiastic. But that reaction was a ringing endorsement compared to what he got from GOP Boss George Gilmore:

Gilmore said NFL player and former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan of Mount Laurel "would have to be considered the front-runner" for the nomination.

Wow, talk about some excitement coming from Gilmore. He might as well have gone with the, he's the last guy who wants it endorsement. You wonder what they'd be saying about the guy if he wasn't willing to self fund. Runyan is going to need a more enthusiastic Gilmore to help raise his name ID in Ocean County.

It is however pretty significant that Runyan won't have to face a primary with a candidate back by the party organization. Chris Myers only lost by a 52-48 margin and there was a bitter primary leading up to it. Runyan can consolidate the party now and raise money for what will be a well funded opponent in Adler. Not everyone is ready to clear the field as Joe Rullo says he still considers himself the front runner in Ocean County and he's running regardless. Justin Murphy has also said he is running out of Burlington County. They are getting a late jump on things as Adler announced his campaign in September '07 for a November '08, while Runyan is getting started in March '10 for a race just 8 months later. This is shaping up to be very competitive fight for the seat.

Jason Springer :: Not quite the ringing endorsement out of Ocean County for Runyan

Tags: jon runyan, John Adler, nj-3, NJ3, George Gilmore, (All Tags)

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Not quite the ringing endorsement out of Ocean County for Runyan | 3 comments

Should Runyan fear John Novak? (0.00 / 0)

Check out this hilarious interview on PolitickerNJ with former Barnegat Committeeman John Novak who fancies himself the political equivalent of John Paul Jones and won't give up the ship.

I know this clown (and he really is a clown, take my word for it) and he served only one term on the Township Committee before voters got tired of his antics and gave him the boot. He is notoriously homophobic, opposed civil unions and supported our equally homophobic mayor when the latter refused to perform same sex civil unions. The issue was resolved when the mayor agreed not to perform any marriage ceremonies lest he be in violation of state law.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

by: ken bank @ Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 00:35:36 AM UTC

Forgot to mention (4.00 / 1)

I think there are a couple other factors to consider. One is the anti-Gilmore insurgency known as Traditional Republicans of Ocean County (TROOC) who have challenged the machine with their own slate in recent primaries and have come pretty close. In fact they did succeed in Stafford when they joined with democrats to knock off County Clerk Carl Block as mayor of Stafford. Their likely candidate is Justin Murphy who made a credible showing two years ago in the primary.

Another possibility is the New Jersey Conservative Party whose Executive Director, blogger Michael Illions of "Crackpots With Agita", may be inclined to recruit somebody to run on the NJCP line in November, if for no other reason than to generate publicity for NJCP in a competitive race. This will likely draw some votes away from the more moderate Jon Runyan and, in a close race, have a significant impact.

http://christiegonewild.blogsp...

by: ken bank @ Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 00:47:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for (4.00 / 1)

adding more information. Do you think any of these groups run in the general and split off vote or is it just a primary challenge for Runyan to run with the machines?

by: Jason Springer @ Fri Feb 26, 2010 at 01:28:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]