April 10, 2008 - 1:37pm
Pennacchio plans to file complaint against Unanue candidacy
By Matt FriedmanSenate candidate Joe Pennacchio plans to challenge the validity of Andy Unanue’s candidacy tomorrow.
Pennacchio campaign manager Dan Gallic said that, if Unanue does indeed drop out of the race, then his “oath of candidacy was not made in good faith.” Gallic cited press reports that Unanue had flown back to Vail, Colo., where he kicked off his candidacy while on a family vacation two weeks ago, shortly after filling his candidacy on Monday.
“As we understand from the reports, he was already on the plane within 24 hours, raising significant issues as to whether he ever intended to run at all,” said Gallic.
Gallic plans to file the complaint with the Division of Elections before tomorrow's 4:00 p.m. deadline for petition challenges.
If the complaint holds water, it could effectively knock former Rep. Dick Zimmer -- who may replace Unanue on the primary ballot if chosen by the candidate’s three-member committee on vacancies -- out of the race.
But as of this moment, Unanue has not formally withdrawn his candidacy. If he does not drop out, to be replaced by someone else, then the complaint will be moot.
Unanue’s committee on vacancies has until Wednesday, April 16th to appoint a successor.
The deadline for filing petition challenges with the Division of Elections is tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
Contributors
Wally Edge
One of the classic stories of the New Jersey Legislature in 1968 were allegations that a Newark Assemblyman wanted to cancel a hearing on organized ... >
Bob Torricelli
The Record announced yesterday that it was closing its Hackensack offices and "reinventing"itself. It was actually announcing its own ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
NJ STARS, while failing in its intended purpose, nonetheless demonstrates the need for fundamental reform in NJ's high schools. >
Debbie Holtz
Another fiscal-cutting measure still lies on the Governor's desk -- it's the one that reduces spending by way of statutory tweaks to the ... >
Steve Lonegan
The 2009 New Jersey State Budget is not the stunning tribute to sound fiscal policy The Trenton insiders would have you believe, but just a ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
The budget proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine has produced myriad negative reactions, featuring various interests seeking to limit the impact of the cuts ... >
Rob Tornoe
Michael P. Riccards
Recently, I walked into a large movie theatre with my wife Barbara to see "Sex and the City," the long, long rendition of themes that ... >
Carla Katz
As the Presidential election draws closer and closer, we tend to focus our attention on the daily horse race between the candidates and lose sight of ... >
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Torricelli on The (Bergen) Record
- Is Murphy on the short list to be Crowley's L.G.?
- Corzine and Christie meet on the campaign trail
- Obama state director choice comes down to Decheine, Mueller and Chicago
- Is Bret Schundler the next Thomas F.X. Smith?
- O'Toole assumes lead role of GOP chairmen
- Garrett consultant hits back on lobbyist staffers
- A thumbnail New Jersey guide to Obamaland, Part III
- Van Drew '08?
- Round 2: Doblin takes on Torricelli
- Dr. Bones goes to Washington
- PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007
- Eleven arrested in bribery scandal
- Lyndhurst GOP, nearly all of them, switching parties
- Lobbyist arrested
- Governor Paralysis
- Who is the best State Party Chairman in New Jersey
- KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
Quote of the Day
July 6, 2008
"I do not." -- James Laurie, an 18-year-old Brookdale Community College student, asked if he knew who Dick Zimmer was.
-Star-Ledger, 07/06/08
Recent Press Releases
- Jul 4 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Trump wonders why Corzine left the Senate ― CHARLES STILE
Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
Sweeney-Buono alliance shakes up N.J. Senate― JONATHAN TAMARI
Stile: Pay to play helped to quell party insurgents ― CHARLES STILE
Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker at Midpoint ― DICK BENFIELD
MUCHAS MARGARITAS― ANDY UNANUE
NJ Economic Growth chief leaves office― Gary Rose
Candidates spend plenty of their money― Philadelphia Inquirer
News anchor sizing up run for governor― Star-Ledger
Political parties get right down to business― Daily Record
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
Syndicate
Question....
Could Pennachio's campaign take him out based on residency issues first before going after him on Oath of candacy? Arguing the first issue is far less subjective than the second. I could be wrong and the residency issue could have been already settled.
Pennacchio attacks Unanue
Pennacchio attacks Unanue out as Unanue drops out in favor of Zimmer. What a fighter!
residency
I could be wrong, but I believe you have to live in NJ by Election Day.
If that is the case...
Then Jersey Joe should drop the "good faith" arguement and should beat Zimmer the old fashion way... There are enough people out there to make that possible because Zimmer isn't as sure thing. Franks actually had it eaiser in 2001 before being crushed by Schuldler.
Absurd
Actually the argument is beyond absurd. Are they suggesting that a person's physical whereabouts 3 days after filing is "evidence" as to his state of mind 3 days ago? The only issue here is were the statements true at the time the document was signed. Post submission actions or travel are just irrelevant. We don't know where the guy is and there's been no official withdrawal. Plus, if you look at the "oaths" actually signed, even if he does withdraw (or travel), it would not make any of the oaths untrue.
Joe's campaign had been doing a great job of ignoring the sideshow and simply pressing on. This kind of posturing will only reinforce a perception that he thinks his only chance of winning is if no one else runs.
If you're going to take a bad PR position, at least be sensible enough to be on solid legal ground.
Poorly played.
^ I agree
with the above comment... It seems like "Jersey Joe" is scared of a lobbyist and DC based politician... I guess that "Jersey Joe's" only shot at winning the GOP nomination is through scuttling the competition.. The recent FDU poll shows that Joe P and Murray Sabrin have an equal shot at winning.. about 80% of GOP voters don't know either candidate...
Hold on there morimoto-san ...
Lest there be any confusion, my prior comment is not to suggest that I think Murray has any kind of a chance here. I've been crystal clear in my comments from the beginning that i don't think that Murray is viable statewide...or county wide ...or in anything but the most carefully selected subdivision of a municipality. If it somehow stays mano a mano, Joe probably wins in a walk.
I just think Joe is showing poor judgment in deviating from his mantra of "I'm running for senate and I don't care who else is". By seizing on an overly technical and legally flawed argument to try to stifle competition, he appears afraid of competition.
re
Jersey Joe is broke, and desperate.
His claim has virtually no legal standing. A committee for vacancies EXISTS for the exressed purpose of replacing a candidate when they drop out.
desperation
this move by Pennachio reeks of desperation.
laughable
who's advising Joe Penn, Lionel Hutz? The constitution of the united states says that you just have to be a resident as of the date of election. Second, since when is intent a basis to challenge a petition. The candidate signed the certification that consented to stand as a candidate. At the time it was signed he did intend to stand as a candidate as evidenced by his signature. Joe Penn wants to examine his mens rea? Sorry, that's just not going to happen. I don't care if he got out 15 minutes after he submitted the petition.
Jersey Joke is a fighter.
It is better to fight with ghosts than not at all. Andy "the bean" Unanue certainly qualifies to a ghost category. Jersey Joke should drop out now and sign up with the "Independence Party" that he so desperately wanted to organize some years ago. At least, Jersey Joke could be true to his believes.
I'm a lawyer...this is a sad joke
There is absolutely nothing in the law that provides for "good faith" in the execution of an oath or anything else having to do with Title 19. Jersey Joke.