Brian Nelson

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic is expected to resign his party post soon, according to GOP leaders who were on a conference call with him on Monday afternoon. That will trigger a special election to elect a new County Chairman. Former Senate President John Bennett, who was defeated for re-election in 2003 amidst allegations that his law firm overbilled clients, including the Township of Marlboro, is a potential candidate for the post.

Volunteers for possible U.S. Senate candidate John Crowley – directed by former Republican State Committee Executive Director Brian Nelson – were circulating nominating petitions tonight at the Somerset County GOP convention.   At the request of several Republican U.S. Senators, including presidential candidate John McCain and NRSC Chairman John Ensign, Crowley is reconsidering his decision not to run.

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is expected to release a list of the New Jersey endorsements today. Supporters are likely to include State Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Republican National Chairman David Norcross, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, Morris County Assembly candidate Jay Webber, former Paterson Mayor Lawrence "Pat" Kramer. and former Republican State Committee Executive Director Brian Nelson.

There are reports from Monmouth County that Sheriff Joseph Oxley told some party insiders today that he would not run for Republican County Chairman. Possible candidates include: Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl ; Madeline Ferraro, a former Appointments Counsel to Governor Christine Todd Whitman and now a lobbyist for Atlantic Health Sysems; former New Jersey Republican State Committee Executive Director Brian Nelson; and former Monmouth County Freeholder Edward Stominski.