Bob Martin

For a candidate who’s running for state Senate against a powerful, entrenched incumbent in a heavily Democratic district, Bob Martin has put a lot at stake.

The 50-year-old Hopewell Township resident, a partner at the consulting firm Accenture, has pumped nearly $100,000 of his own money into his race against Shirley Turner, who’s running for her fourth term in the Senate.  But the district’s numbers alone – a 3-1 Democratic registration advantage, --look almost insurmountable.

“There’s no doubt that by registration there are more Democrats than Republicans here,” said Martin.  “But the 53,000 unaffiliated voters out there have a big say in this election, and we’ve reached out to them.” more >

State Sen. Shirley Turner's support of senatorial courtesy is wrong and it reflects "what's wrong with our politicians in Trenton," says he 15th district GOP opponent, Bob Martin.  “It concerns me that Senator Turner views Senatorial Courtesy as acceptable because every other senator is doing it,” said Martin, who has pledged to end the practice.  “I’m also concerned that Senator Turner does not see this process as an obstacle to an effective, transparent and honest government.”

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District 15 state Senate candidate Bob Martin wants his opponent, Shirley Turner, to join him in calling for an end to the practice of senatorial courtesy.

Martin said he would support a state constitutional amendment to ban the practice, an unwritten rule that allows a Senator to hold up the nomination of any official from his or her home district or county. Martin said that he would support forcing every nomination to come before the Senate within 90 days of the governor’s pick.

Just three days out from the 26th district Republican primary between Jay Webber and Larry Casha, many Republicans say the race is too close to call. 

The two candidates are enmeshed in a heated battle for one of two one open assembly seat in the 26th District, trying to outdo each others’ conservative credentials.

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce is up for reelection for the other seat, but he is considered the favorite and both other candidates claim to support him.  

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