Rivals wish Estabrook well

It was a tough fight leading up to today, but Estabrook’s two now-former primary opponents have laid down their arms to wish her a speedy recovery.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who was Estabrook’s chief rival for the nomination, upon hearing about Estabrook’s mini-stroke. “I wish her a speedy recovery, she’s in my prayers, and whatever I can do to extend myself in any way shape or form. Whatever is necessary to do I’d be happy to help.”

The other Republican primary candidate, Murray Sabrin, struck a conciliatory tone.

"I wish Anne Estabrook and her family the best of health. Our campaign looks forward to debating Joe Pennacchio on March 15, March 27, and March 29, so that Republican primary voters can select the best person to take on the ultra-liberal Frank Lautenberg this November,” he said in a statement.

Pennacchio said that he doesn’t consider himself the frontrunner now that Estabrook’s out of the race, and that he’s not worried about the moderate, establishment Republicans who backed Estabrook finding another candidate to run against him.

“The primary is over in June, and that’s my focus. I’ve never had any presumptiveness, never cared about being frontrunner, to me I always just wanted to get my message out,” he said. “My focus has never been my opponent. It’s always been running my own campaign, on my own message, and quite frankly just going after Frank Lautenberg and the Democrats in November.”

Lautenberg also sent his best wishes to Estabrook.

"I join the people of New Jersey in wishing Anne Estabrook a speedy recovery and good health," said the four-term Senator.