March 26, 2008 - 10:44am
Byrne confirms he's polling on potential Senate run
By Matt FriedmanFormer Democratic State Chairman Tom Byrne confirmed today that he’s seriously mulling a primary bid against incumbent U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Byrne, who works as a financial consultant and is the son of former Gov. Brendan Byrne (his full name is actually Brendan Thomas Byrne, Jr.), has already commissioned a poll on his prospects and expects to learn its results by Friday. He’ll make a decision on whether or not to run over the weekend.
“The big factor will be whether people think it’s time for a change,” said Byrne, who headed up the state Democratic party between 1994 and 1997.
In September, PolitickerNJ.com reported that Byrne wouldn’t rule out a primary challenge against Lautenberg.
Byrne said that his interest was piqued over the last couple weeks, during which several high ranking Democrats have encouraged him to run. He said that calls started coming in before Republicans tapped Andy Unanue, but have increased over the last week.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why some people have started to talk to me. You’d have to ask them, but I could see that being grounds for concern,” he said. “I think a lot of people weren’t focused on (the Senate race) and all of a sudden from very significant people in the party I’ve gotten a lot of encouragement to do it. So yes, I will poll it and I won’t have results until late Friday, so we’ll see what it says.”
Byrne considered a Senate bid in 2000, but decided not to run after Jon Corzine entered the race. But over the last eight years he’s left his campaign committee open, keeping $511,014 dollars in it, although the campaign committee also owes $190,000 in debt.
If he decides to run, Byrne said he’ll put another $500,000 into his campaign account and should be able to raise another half million from donors very quickly.
“I think I’d be at a million and a half very quickly. Then if people want change I would be prepared to do some more myself,” he said.
As of the last report filed with the Federal Election Commission, Frank Lautenberg has $4,321,776 cash on hand, with $2,090,000 in debt.
As of Monday, Byrne have just one week to file his petition.
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This is a serious threat
Byrne is a very viable candidate against a Senator who has high negatives and few friends. Lautenberg is clearly not prepared for a primary challenge and Byrne already knows the results, otherwise we wouldn't be reading this.
Does he have a lot of money?
The republicans have an opening for sale.
what's Corzine think?
I guess we'll find out pretty quickly whether the Lautenberg/Corzine rift over the toll plan has healed.
Corzine could beat this challenge down pretty quickly if he wanted to.
Who's easier to beat
Who's easier to beat, Lautenberg or Byrne?
Upset Congressmen
There are going to be three or four in particular (Pallone, Andrews, Rothman and maybe Pascrell) of those should Byrne file and win. These guys all bought into the line that Frank would run and not finish the term and then get appointed by Corzine to the job ala Menendez.
Look for these guys to gang up against Byrne. The only wild card is Rothman since he is with Obama and change is the theme then how can he support the ongoing saga of Lautenberg over change.
Great!
Great news, Lautenberg needs a primary changelle. I'm not a big fan of Lautenberg's votes for high taxes and such, but theres no one else to vote for. I almost voted GOP but they don't have a sane candidate ether. I hope more democrats step up to the plate.
LBJ once mentioned
to Sam Rayburn about all the talent in the JFK admin. To this he said, I'd feel better if one of them had run for sheriff, al least.
Good for Byrne!
A primary is needed here to get rid of the Cryptkeeper. Finally someone has the guts to do it. Too bad that Congressman J-Date and Pass d'Escarole couldnt step up to it.
whether to challenge
Aesop is right in that there will be several angry Democratic congressmen should Byrne decide to run, as the "wait your turn" seniority rotation would be decidely violated. My heart says that Byrne should run, if he thinks he can initiate substantial change in Washington and promote N.J. interests (of course, Lautenberg is 44th in seniority; Byrne would be even further behind). But my head says this challenge isn't what a unified state party needs right now and resources should be reserved for the general election. What's interesting is that Byrne isn't some quixotic outsider contemplating an anti-establishment run: He's the son of a former governor and the former party chair.
Byrne
Interesting. Some might view this as yesterday's news. Many have no idea who he is and barely remember his father. THat said Frank Lautenberg has been silent this primary season and is facing a potentially young and wealthy opponent. While it is true that FL doesnt exactly go out and make political allies at this point in his career there are (as Martin pointed out) several waiting in line for the spot. Since Byrne is not as influential as he used to be I doubt he trumps the collective influence of Rothman, Pallone, Andrews, and Holt.
Interesting Development
It would be interesting to see him win the nomination seeing as though Dems did nothing but rail against the NJGOP and Tom Kean Jr. for trying to use name recognition in order to win a senate seat in '06.
Maybe if he wins, Gov. Corzine can pass a resolution to name the Izod Center after him before November.
"Who the hell are you???"- Bill Pascoe
This is finally getting exciting
Byrne can easily capitalize on Lautenberg's weak poll numbers and make a case for change. The reality is that many good Democrats in the state desperately want a new face and someone who will fight for new policies. Of course someone with Murray Sabrin's ideas remains the best solution, but I applaud any Democrat of reason challenging Lautenberg.
I would take
Tome Byrne, Frank Lautenberg, Jersey Joe, Andy U, Micky Mouse, Donald Duck, Porkey Pig...before Murray and his crockpot of rediculous ideas and pledges. Murray is and forever will be a joke. BTW being a total joke in a place like Jersey is seriously difficult to do.
John Ashcroft should run.
Everyone is deathly afraid of our US Attorney, so, let John Ashcroft run and together CC and JA can clean up NJ.
its too late for Byrne this season
this sounds like a lot of vanity