Ferguson won't seek re-election
By EditorRep. Mike Ferguson will announce today that he will not seek re-election to a fifth term in 2008. The 37-year-old Republican, who won re-election last year by just 1% against Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender, wants to spend more time with his four young children.
Senate Minority Leader-designate Thomas Kean, Jr. becomes one of the most likely GOP candidates for the seat. Kean, the Republican U.S. Senate in 2006, was among the candidates who ran against Ferguson in the 7th district Republican primary in 2000, when Bob Franks gave up the seat to run for the Senate.
Stender has been raising money for a rematch and will now compete for an open seat -- the second in New Jersey next year. Earlier this month, Rep. Jim Saxton said he would not seek re-election to a 12th term.
Other possible GOP candidates include: Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick, outgoing Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, State Sen.-elect Christopher Bateman, Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery, and Franks, now the President of the Health Care Institute of New Jersey.
Ferguson won 49%-48% in 2006 -- a margin of 3,239 votes.
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- Jul 2 2009
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Junior's the man.
Alright now everybody, repeat after me: Congressman Kean.
"How do we beat the bitch?"
This is one case where a new Republican...
Would do better. I wonder if Kean doesnt want it, would Leonard Lance want to go to DC?
Estabrook to get in?
What a perfect scenario for Estabrook. Now she has a chance to get into Congress.
I can't think of two worse candidates
Two aristocrats even more liberal than Mike Ferguson.
Interesting turn of events.
I'm shocked by the news.
I thought Stender gave it all she could and still couldn't win that seat. 2008 will be far more difficult for Democrats and Kean is a better candidate than Ferguson.
Democrats would be wise to rethink another multi-million dollar commitment to Stender.
Another Huge Retirement!
One goes away for a few hours, and the entire political landscape of the state changes completely. This news is very surprising to me; as someone who has watched Ferguson's votes lately, I can aver that they've been rather leftward/liberal for such a right-winger, making me think he was positioning himself as more moderate for the 2008 election. Ferguson is incredibly young, too, and has been seen as a rising star amongst NJ Republicans.
One could argue with a decent amount of credibility that this election was Stender's to lose, since the DCCC has committed to giving her cash, a luxury she didn't have in 2006 when she came painfully close to winning this seat.
Now we have two blockbuster (maybe three, if a big-name runs against LoBiondo) swing elections in NJ in '08. Exciting political times, indeed.
Hey Dino, nice quote
"How do we beat the bitch?"
What ever you may think of Linda Stender, I think this is wildly inappropriate. You don't want her to win, that's fine, but using demeaning terminology based on her gender is completely out of line.
Calm down...
...he was only making reference to a comment a supporter made to John McCain in reference to Hillary Clinton.
At least I think he was.
If not, then it was wildly inappropriate :)
Estabrook not in 7th
Actually her chances for Senate may go down if Jon Bramnick decides to campaign for Congress. Joe Pennacchio would have a better shot.
The more dreadful scenario would have Phil Morin going for Bramnick's seat in the Assembly. Republicans would have to swallow hard to vote for Morin.
Although I have ideological differences with Congressman Ferguson, he is a stand up guy and a gentleman. And will be missed.
Total Stand up guy
"In his dark suit, knotted tie and official congressional ID pin on his lapel, Republican House member Mike Ferguson looked out of place at the Rhino Bar and Pumphouse, a Georgetown saloon popular with college kids" (Washington Post, 4/4/03).
BOB FRANKS
'nuff said.
The next Congress is better already...and a new worker at Rhino?
When a firend of mine left me the voicemail, I almost pissed my pants with joy. As a former staffer (yes, staffer in DC) for this complete waste of taxpayer space, I'm thrilled to hear that this carpetbagging joke is leaving the 7th. It was so bad there that I left after three weeks after the most important thing I did was try to find a remote control that could work in all of the offices. What a joke... my time there still disgusts me... talk about a breath of fresh air. Perhaps Mike is going to get a part time job at Rhino on M Street? He better get some new pins to give away :)
GO BOB GO
By the way...I'd jump back on team Bob in two seconds. He was an awesome boss and he surrounded himeself with awesome people. I know you're all out here....candice....bill u.... charlie... get on your phones and let's do this!
Ferguson was a RINO
I am thrilled to see Ferguson drop out. He contracted the RINOvirus as soon as he took the oath of office. He won't be missed, at least not until one of the other RINOs take office. At least Ferguson was a Republican going in and was turned, the list you are looking at are already RINOs.
Aren't there any Republicans to pick from??? How about Michael Patrick Carroll? Mike Doherty? Move either one into the district so they can run.
"Sometimes it looks as if the Democrats are out to win at all costs, while the Republicans are out to compromise at all costs." Thomas Sowell, September 8, 2007 - Random Thoughts.
PLEASE Don't Nominate a "RHINO"!!! :-)
Nominate a real Republican, the more conservative the better.
Go see if y'all can find someone who is a bigger jerk than Scott Garrett.
Go for it!!!
Please.
Thankyou.
From Frederick Douglass