December 6, 2007 - 3:00pm
Saxton takes Myers under his wing
By Matt Friedman
Tags: Jim Saxton, Christopher Myers
Retiring Rep. Jim Saxton won’t make a formal endorsement for the Republican nomination for his successor, but he spent yesterday in Washington with Medford Deputy Mayor Christopher Meyers, a Lockheed Martin executive and the presumptive favorite to be the Burlington County candidate in the race to succeed him.
Saxton met with Myers and took him to offices of the Republican National Congressional Committee yesterday to introduce him around, said Jeff Sagnip, who served as Saxton’s campaign manager in 2006. Saxton, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Myers, a defense contractor who works for the largest employer in South Jersey, have been close friends for years.
The 12-term Congressman has told PolitickerNJ.com that he has an “open door policy” to meet and advise Republican candidates for his seat, and has expressed hope that the GOP organizations in the 3rd district would coalesce behind one candidate.
But Saxton thinks that Myers’s relatively young age and military background make him an ideal candidate to take on Democratic state Sen. John Adler in 2008. Myers, who is 42, is the same age Saxton was when he began his first term.
“It does speak for itself, I think,” said Sagnip of Saxton’s meeting with Myers. “His credentials were impressive -- the fact that he’s a veteran and virtually heads one of the largest companies and plants in all of New Jersey”
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Adler is bad for jobs
I said this before,.....
Lockheed Martin is the largest employer in the Tri-County area. Burlington-Camden-Gloucester. Fort Dix is also a huge employer.
In a state that brings little federal money back to New Jersey, Jim Saxton is one of the few politicans that brings "REAL" federal money to his district. Not "pork barrel" money, but real federal contracts.
If a military hater like John Adler gets elected, that money will disappear overnight. That is something everyone needs to think about.
14,000 people work at Fort Dix.
7,000 at Lockheed Martin
Me Thinks...
Little Johnny just made doo-doo in his diappy! This guy has pretty awesome resume. His corporate contacts will deliver huge fundraising $...not to mention the $2mill Saxton can use to help him. Senator Adler...not Congressman.
Easy, killer.
Put the Kool-Aid down and take a deep breath. Good. Now doesn't that feel better?
Now I'm glad you're, um, enthused. But your horse has never run a race before in his life. He should get a clear path to what, exactly?
Given Iraq, Iran, the economy, the climate, the president and every other albatross around your party's neck, this primary is going to be a fight for the last deck chair of the Titanic.
Don't take my word for it -- every GOP congressman in the country with any sense has abandoned ship, including Saxton.
Good luck!
Would love to take bets
What we know about Adler could fill a Political Science 101 class of what not to do if you are an honest politician.
What is acceptable in good 'ol Camden County and other solid Democrat zones will not be accepted in Burlington and Ocean counties. Witness this past election in Burlington as an example of moderates turning back the corruption tide of Camden politicians.
Myers is squeaky clean, deals regularly with national and international leaders, and is a two-term local official.
Adler will look like the creature he is - a Trenton politician whose whole existence depends solely on the generosity of Boss Norcross - even Corzine would not associate himself with Adler when discussing credible candidates for AG.
Myers by 15%.
THIS is a story???
I understand Mr. Saxton is bringing Myers around Capitol Hill. Whoopee. ANY of the Republican candidates who wished for a cordial greeting from Mr. Saxton would certainly get one. He is just that classy of an individual. It is a reflection on Mr. Saxton's generosity, not on a candidate's viability, that he is welcoming possible successors to tour what is OUR nation's Capitol. I wouldn't read too much into it.
OE