Deodorant heir won't run for Congress

Will Mennen, the heir to an over-the-counter pharmaceuticals fortune, has decided against running for the 7th District Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson, and will back fellow Hunterdon County Republican state Sen. Leonard Lance.

"I am very flattered to have been asked by a number of respected officials from across our state to run for Congress next year," Mennen said in a statement. "The 7th Congressional District presents a real opportunity for a true conservative candidate to prevail. I am, however, concerned that a divisive primary will lessen the prospects of keeping this seat in Republican hands."

Mennen said he met with Lance on Tuesday to discuss his decision. Shortly after Ferguson announced last month that he would not seek re-election, Mennen's name surfaced as a possible GOP candidate. Mennen told PolitickerNJ.com that Lance's decision about running for the seat would likely impact his own. If Lance ran, Mennen, a Tewksbury committeemen and Hunterdon County Freeholder-elect, said he would likely defer to Lance.

Lance said last week he would run, prompting Mennen to meet with him and subsequently officially withdrawing his own name from consideration today.

"Senator Lance has toiled ceaselessly to advance Republican causes and candidates in our state, and through it all he has been both a gentleman and a beacon of civility and integrity," said Mennen. "In our meeting Senator Lance affirmed his wholehearted commitment to run for congress. As a result, I informed Leonard of my intention to support his candidacy. I will work diligently to secure Leonard Lance’s nomination and election."