Pick Your Map-Changer

All worthy candidates (0.00 / 0)

These candidates are all strong in their own right, and I (along with most Democrats) am thrilled about our prospects for picking up seats in the Senate and Assembly in November.

Whom to vote for above... I selected Fran Bodine because he is a well-liked candidate who would add some ideological diversity to the Democrats in N.J. in the senate (I do think there is room for individuals with more conservative views in the Democratic Party); perhaps more important, I really, really want to land a severe blow to party machine politics from the BurlCo GOP, who are basically using nepotism and politics-as-usual (questionable connections, etc.) in their ticket of Rudder, Haines, etc.

Lest we forget, Jim Whelan (D-2) has a very good chance of winning his senate bid against uber-conservative Sonny McCullough, but he needs our financial support and volunteering, too.

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by: Martin @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 01:22:13 AM UTC

The times they are a changin' (0.00 / 0)

I agree that they are all worthy candidates, but only one has a clear shot.

Dana Wefer has won more than 47% of the vote of the 25th district when she ran for freeholder in 2006.  She garnered this support with volunteer help and a mere $5000.  Not only is she an excellent speaker and incredibly well-informed on the issues, but she has the advantage of running against two of the most conservative (and thereby ineffective for the district) Assemblymen.  Neither of the incumbents has the fundraising ability or name recognition of a Tom Kean, Jr.
If the Democrats spent 1/10 of the ridiculous amount of money they waste in Hudson County against each other, we'd be seeing much more blue in Morris County.

No other candidate comes close to these numbers, in my humble opinion.  I urge all of you to get on this bandwagon -- it's clearly a winnable race.

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by: MrYip @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 15:13:17 PM UTC

Gina's Opponent is Tom Kean Jr. (0.00 / 0)

Gina Genovese is running against Tom H. Kean, Jr. which makes for an interesting race. Gina is a good candidate and it would be such a great victory.

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by: Ann R @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 17:09:26 PM UTC

why (0.00 / 0)

Two questions:

1. Why is Fran Bodine on this list?

2. Why is anyone voting for him? He's a conservative.

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by: Juan Melli @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 18:09:47 PM UTC

hard to resist (0.00 / 0)

maybe they just love his feathery hairdo and voted accordingly.

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 18:13:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

why he's on the list (4.00 / 1)

because flipping the district could help in the long run.  While Bodine is conservative, he's the best chance the Democrats have had at the top of the ticket which has been very red for a long time.  If the Democrats could pick up these seats, in the long run it could be beneficial as the investment of building in the district could help influence future races against either Jim Saxton or an open seat when he leaves. 

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by: Jason Springer @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 20:32:24 PM UTC

oops (0.00 / 0)

i wish i could fix a comment.  I meant to say he's the best chance the Democrats have had at the top of the ticket in a district and county that has been red for a long time.

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by: Jason Springer @ Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 20:34:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

25th (1.00 / 1)

I think Dana is tops.  And her races for freeholder were tremendous. We all love her. And we all know one day she is going to make a great elected official.

I just worry that another loss under Dana's belt will make her seem more like a perennial ballot placeholder rather than a serious candidate, which she deserves to be.

Dana seems to be  spread a bit too thin this year with too many other priorities, like school and work.  I wish she would have taken a pass this year and gotten all her ducks in a row for a time when she can make a real focused run at taking down one of these Republican seats.  Because Dana has the talent and the chops to do so.  I just worry she doesnt have the time or energy this year.  And perhaps the Blue Jersey community should focus on some seats where we really have a legitimate shot to shake things loose with a win and not just another year of closing the numbers.

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by: Fielding Mellish @ Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 21:26:37 PM UTC

I like Gina and Dana (0.00 / 0)

Been a big fan of both, but I voted for Gina because she is getting her act together and moving now! Met her new campaign manager, Chip Robinson, at the Governor's gala Friday night and was impressed by his energy and how well everyone speaks about him! Gina can do!

I would love to see Dana put her campaign in motion and I had hoped to see her in Newark Friday evening as well! I still have an outstanding pledge for her campaign as well as 50 others here on BJ that I'd love to honor! The 25th is home to some horrible wing nut idealogues.

I agree also that Whelan has a great opportunity in Atlantic County and based on our endorsement in 2005, he would most likely receive our support again this year.

Babs Casbar Siperstein

"Discrimination caused by ignorance and fear is a tax on human progress" - Barbra Casbar Siperstein

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by: Babs NJSD @ Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 01:58:28 AM UTC

Good News! (4.00 / 1)

Good news!  I understand that Dana has a campaign manager and a volunteer coordinator who will soon be reaching out to as many progressives as they can find.  Morris County Dems also held a kick-off for the 25th just three weeks ago, and the campaign is underway.  You'll no doubt receive a call about your outstanding pledge soon!

Regarding Gina, I met her for the first time at the Governor's Gala.  She's a strong candidate and very confident, but I think that district is a huge uphill battle.  Tom Kean, Jr., whether we like it or not (NOT!), is still very popular and has the ability to out-fundraise virtually any challenger.  Anyway, I wish her the best and I hope that we can get enough support for all of our candidates....

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by: MrYip @ Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 19:19:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Go Dana! (0.00 / 0)

Just want to echo the previous comments about how amazing Dana is and what a terrific chance this is for us to flip the 25th.  She's continually improved as a candidate and things are set up perfectly for her to win this time around.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see all of our candidates win, but the 25th is the best opportunity for the netroots to play a huge role.

Go Dana!!

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by: BlueJG @ Tue Jun 12, 2007 at 16:27:52 PM UTC

look to Gina's History in Long Hill (0.00 / 1)

Unfortunately, I am a Long Hill Democrat who supported Gina in her run for Committee in Long Hill Township. My children were student's of her tennis club and we were thrilled with her victory. Unfortunately, we since have learned of all of the horrible, mean-spirited politics which she has been the head of. One of which was when Gina's campaign manager, and her partner WendyMcCahill went door to door the day before the Long Hill Election distributing fraudulent flyers about the amount of property taxes paid by their opponent.
Long Hill residents didn't stand for this kind of behavior, and now Gina has the lowest approval ever of any committee member. SHe has lost her entire local following because of her nasty political ways. In fact she got less votes in the primary in Long Hill Township than anyone else on the democratic ballot. This is a tell tale sign that  I'm not the only democrat in town that's so disappointed with the political path she took. Please put your money into Dana. SHe doesn't have any of the baggage that the Right will unfortunately use to easily ruin Gina's reputation. ( I agree she is a great tennis instructor, but when it comes to dirty politics- she's an ace!

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by: johnk @ Fri Jun 15, 2007 at 01:45:20 AM UTC

lol, Jill? (0.00 / 0)

Is that you, Ms Hazelbaker? You're still following us from New Hampshire?

If it looks, sounds and smells like a concern troll, it probably is.

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by: Juan Melli @ Fri Jun 15, 2007 at 02:22:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]