March 6, 2008 - 7:14pm
Buckalew is possible U.S. Senate candidate
By Editor
Republican Joe Buckalew is a possible U.S. Senate candidateFormer New Jersey Highway Authority Chairman Joseph Buckalew, a longtime business associate of South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross, is giving serious consideration to a bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, according to a statement made by Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore on a conference call of party leaders this afternoon. Buckalew serves on the Board of Directors of Commerce Bank and as Vice Chairman of Commerce Bank Insurance Services – where Norcross was Chairman.
Two State Senators, Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset) and Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) are also considered possible candidates.
Republicans say Buckalew, a former Ocean County GOP Chairman, Ocean County Freeholder and Lakewood Township Committeeman, could self-fund his campaign.
Monmouth County GOP Chairman Adam Puharic continues to fuel the possible candidacy of Kyrillos, a former GOP State Chairman who has served in the Legislature since 1987.
"When Joe Kyrillos made his decision there were already three candidates in the race. Today we wake up and the political chess board has changed. It wouldn’t be surprising if he contemplated the race again under these circumstances," Puharic told PolitickerNJ.com about 45 minutes before the conference call began.
"At this point (Joe) Pennacchio appears to have the thing locked up - unless there is a movement to draft somebody else," said Sussex County GOP Chairman Richard Zeoli.
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Quote of the Day
October 6, 2008
"I am not supporting him, because he is not supporting the BCRO," Yudin said. "I simply said to him, and I stand by this, if elected officials feel they cannot support the BCRO, I cannot guarantee my support. He is a sitting assemblyman for 25 years, he has taken the position that he cannot give to the BCRO and I find that wrong, and I have warned him that is a position of mine."........
"You can't get blood from a stone,'' Rooney said, adding, "For him to make these threats is not the sign of a good leader."
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Jersey Joe Stinky Fish all the way
Buckalew is about as random as it gets....
If this guy really thinks he has a shot at the nomination, then the GOP field is weaker than I thought it was. I didn't think that was possible.
Why not Buckalew?
After all, George Norcross already has just about every single Democrat south of I-195 on a string. Why not add a Republican U.S. Senator to his collection of marionettes?
Bucka-who???
I always thought of the 3 candidates for US Senate as being the "B" team... The solution to elevating the members of the "B" team is not to field a "C" team... Buck is a "C" team kinda guy...
Bucka... who?
Is it my way or the highway?
Will he keep the state
open on the weekends? LOL
Buckalew sounds like the name of a biker bar.
Norcross Crony???
Some of these County Chairs are really getting ridiculous
They are considering a crony of a Dem Boss helped destroy the image of NJ and feeds the Dem Corruption machine?
Who ever is considering this guy should get out of politics and get a job at a used car lot.
They still don't understand people are fed in NJ with politics as usual.
Keep pushing ideas like this and you guys will find out real fast that this GOP ground swell is in your own County Re Orgs.
The George Norcross Connection Will Be a Real Positive
Give me a break! This is getting ridiculous. Jersey Joe will crush this Country Club RINO.
give me a break on this rino stuff
Joe Buckalew is pro-life, pro-second amendment gun owner. Can Republicans no longer have personal wealth without being called a rino?
Corrupt Banker
Joe Buckalew is on the Board of the most corrupt business in the State of New Jersey, Commerce Bank.
who? what?
I seem to recall more than a few years back a self-financing Corzine-who? not having a chance of winning either . Give Buckalew a break. Why any republican (hard or soft R) would take issue with someone who has become successful through the captialist tenents the party supposedly preaches, is beyond comprehension. If he can mount a successful albeit late campaign more power to him. Where is it written in stone that the rank and file has to accept day old fish if something else is on the menu?
Another bad choice
There's nothing wrong with making money the old fashioned way... even if you're a Republican. But is seems, that the ability to self finace is the only thing this guy really brings to the table. That was Estabrook's cheif strentgh as well. With out her money, she was not that strong a candidate. Nj alreday has 2 politicians who self financed their campaigns; Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg. You could count all the meaningful accomplishments between them on 1 hand. Do we really want another one of those?
Joe Kyrillos would be a good choice, But he chose not to get in the race. It's time for the GOP leadership to stop second guessing the rest of the Party and get behind the Joe who is in this race with both feet: Jersey Joe Pennacchio. Hey, the guy even has his own song!
I'd re-think it...
Mr. Buckalew:
Do yourself a favor and decide against a run...the level and degree of scrutiny far exceeds what you have known to date. Like most in the establishment, you are probably blind to what can and will be said about you. And please don't be trciked into thinking that George can protect you from the hit pieces.