GOP Mayor of Scotch Plains is going for 7th district seat
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterScotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks says he's definitely in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson in the 7th district.
"We're full steam ahead on this," said Marks, a dentist who is in his eighth year as mayor. "I intend to take this to the finish line."
Marks, 45, reiterated his belief that his candidacy would make the most strategic sense for the Republican Party, and argues that because he is from the same corner of Union County as Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender, he can compete with her better than any other candidate.
He acknowledged the name recognition of presumptive frontrunner state Sen. Minority Leader Leonard Lance of Hunterdon County.
"But that doesn't necessarily carry the day in Union County," said Marks. "I'm not so sure Republican voters who tend to be little more conservative, would identify with Leonard Lance's brand of Republicanism."
Contributors
Wally Edge
If Paul Sarlo becomes the new Senate Judiciary Chairman when John Adler leaves for Washington in January, Senate President Richard Codey will ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Steve Lonegan
The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >
Juan Melli
In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Former State Senator Wayne Bryant got a smack on the back of the head from a jury of his peers today when they found him guilty of all eleven charges ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Bryant guilty on all counts
- Merkt calls for Wilson's resignation
- If it's Corzine v. Christie, both sides get ready for the worst
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- After running as a local Obama, Hawkins runs early into the hard edge of Orange
- Quinnipiac: Corzine 42%, Christie 36%
- Mallet defeats Curley, Monmouth Freeholder Board becomes Democratic-controlled
- Karrow announces state senate bid
- Dredden would serve as RSC chairman if asked
- Potential Rumana challenger says Assembly might not be his vehicle for change
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Jersey City councilman makes it rain in Washington
- Torricelli on deer hunting
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"What's been happening in the markets has brought out so many emotions. ... We are feeling it too. Our job is to be level-headed and cool and to run the portfolio. I think we are going to turn this around." -- An optimistic William Clark, the director of the state division of investment, after losing $25 billion in pension funds since July.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Now it's the Dems' chance to be dumb― PAUL MULSHINE
Corzine likely to go nowhere― THE DAILY RECORD
SILENT ON CHARGE; LIPSKI TELLS OF ALCOHOL BATTLE― STEVEN LIPSKI
Reclaiming the narrative of an enlightened nation ― CORY BOOKER
Syndicate
Best News of the Day!
Marks is a great candidate and I cant wait to see him mop up the other light weights in in this field...Stender must be shaking in her PAC boots.
Run Marty Run
Agreed. Marks is a great candidate. If it comes to a primary I think the Republicans in the district will shun the "My Party Too" RINOs like Lance and Whitman and go with a more conservative candidate. Marks may be that guy and he can take on Stender in Union County.
Marks Who?
No one outside of Scoth Plains (and Union) knows who he is. He's going to have to do alot of work to get his name recognition up.
If he's going to try to sell himself as the "Steve Lonegan" of the 7th, he won't have a chance. The GOP needs to stop running on social positions that lean way too far to the right and focus what people are concern with it... taxes, taxes, taxes!
Dont' think that Congressman Ferguson. was elected because of this social views. If anything, that made his congressional races relatively competitive every time.
Don't Run Marks
Marty Marks has no chance. He's only known in his town and in Union County. Failed badley for a State Senate seat. He's got no chance and is doing this as some kind of ego trip. He should focus on running for a third term as mayor, not that he'd win that either.
Union's guy
He has a shot if he's the only Union County candidate, and multiple candidates split the vote in Hunterdon and Somerset.
three-way race with Lance and Whitman would be tough to win though.
Jerseyguy97 - wake up
Get your facts straight before posting...Marks DID NOT fail badly his Senate run...he forced coruption laced Union County Dems to spend a ton of money defeneding a seat that was nevered considered in play...tricky nicky was lucky.
Your bitterness towards Marty sounds like the ramblings from a hubby of a former female mayor...I guess you forgot to take your pills this morning? Ouch!
GO FOR IT, MARTY!
Marty Marks would make an excellent congressman and should go for it.
As for the comment that Ferguson did not win due to his conservative social views -- you are dead wrong! That is precisely how he won the GOP primary in 2000. He was a carpetbagger who didn't live in the district -- running against another, more liberal carpetbagger (Kean Jr.) and a more liberal/moderate sitting legislator who lived in the district (Weingarten). The other two had advantages of name recognition, organization and/or money, but Ferguson came in with a very conservative message and won the primary.
As for Marks being beaten badly -- That's not exactly true either. Whatever the result, the fact is he put himself out there and ran in a reconfigured district that other Repubs. wouldn't run in! He should receive immense credit for that. While other Rs in this CD run in easy, gerrymandered legislative districts or sit around and "pass" on running in more difficult swing and Dem districts, people like Marty Marks stand up, make an effort, and take a shot.
If there are multiple candidates from Somerset and Hunterdon and Marks is THE Union candidate (assuming the county GOP can unite behind him), don't write him off -- he has a good chance at winning the primary (from a geographic as well as ideological standpoint) - he is a moderate-to-conservative Republican, unlike a lot of the others considering a run!
Go for it, Marty!!