Camille Abate

Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney endorsed fifth district Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Shulman today.

Shulman, a blind rabbi and psychologist, is running against primary opponent Camille Abate to take on conservative Republican incumbent E. Scott Garrett.   

“Dennis Shulman, unlike Scott Garrett, understands the challenges facing the hardworking men and women of Northern New Jersey,” said McNerney.

United States Rep. Frank Pallone endorsed Dennis Shulman in the fifth district Democratic congressional primary.

Shulman, a rabbi and psychologist who’s been blind since childhood, faces Camille Abate for the nomination to take on Republican incumbent E. Scott Garrett.

"I find so much to admire in Dennis's story and message," said Pallone in a press release. "Residents of Northern New Jersey deserve much better representation than what they are getting from Scott Garrett. Dennis' passionate willingness to fight for hardworking families, to end the war in Iraq and to address critical environmental issues is exactly what we need to defeat Congressman Garrett this fall."

The question seems to come up every two years: is incumbent 5th District Rep. E. Scott Garrett vulnerable to a Democratic challenge? 

This year is no exception.

Challengers during Garrett’s first three campaigns thought they had a good shot, but he managed to beat them by double digit margins each time – even if those margins have narrowed each time.

But both of the Democrats vying to take him on say that this time is different, and both have released internal polls that they say proves it. 

The frontrunner in the Democratic race, blind rabbi/psychologist Dennis Shulman, reported today that he has raised $125,000 last quarter and has $245,500 cash-on-hand.  That's a slowdown from his previous quarter of fundraising, but Shulman is ahead of any of Garrett's previous Democratic challengers: Paul Stuart Aronsohn, Dorothea Wolfe or Anne Sumers. 

Another Democrat wants to challenge Republican incumbent E. Scott Garrett in the fifth Congressional district. 

Sort of. 

Roger Bacon, who said that he's actually a registered Republican, has filed to run as a Democrat against Rabbi/psychologist Dennis Shulman and lawyer Camille Abate.  

Bacon, who is running under the slogan “Independent Democrat for Lower Energy Cost,” lives in Phillipsburg and runs a customized ceramic gift mug business called Luvmug.

Fifth district Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Shulman rolled out some new Bergen County endorsements today, touting them as a sign that the Bergen County Democratic Organization is coalescing behind him. But his primary opponent, Camille Abate, issued a press release listing several Bergen County endorsements as well.

Congressional candidate Dennis Shulman was endorsed by Assemblywoman Connie WagnerFifth district Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Shulman today announced the support of 38th district Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Bergen County Freeholder James Carroll in his primary bid against Camille Abate.

The Bergen County Democratic Organization will hold a convention on February 28th to choose the candidate who will occupy the county line in the district, the biggest chunk of which is in Bergen County – especially amongst Democratic primary voters.

Shulman has the support of New Milford Mayor Frank DeBari and Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko, as well as several municipal chairs and former 39thdistrict legislative candidates Joe Ariyan, Esther Fletcher and Carl Manna. Abate recently announced the support of Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale and several local union officials.

Fifth district Democratic congressional candidate Camille Abate announced the endorsement of Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale today.

“A woman of conviction and fight can win this district,” said Speaizle.  “That woman is Camille Abate.” 

Insiders have said that Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero was prepared to endorse Hillary Clinton for president – but not without her coming to  accept the endorsement in person.

If that’s true, Ferriero got his wish with what he says is Clinton’s upcoming visit to Bergen County on January 23rd, although the Clinton campaign said that no date has yet been confirmed. But Ferriero said that his late timing has nothing to do with him appearing at a podium with Clinton, and everything to do with getting voters excited.

“I think it’s important to certainly focus the voters’ attention in New Jersey. I think by timing it only a few weeks before the primary gives her a certain amount of momentum going into the election,” he said. “She’ll be going to various different states and this will probably be the only major event she’ll be in the state for before the primary.”

Dennis ShulmanFor a candidate in a congressional race that most political observers consider a long shot, Dennis Shulman, who hopes to be the Democrats’ chosen candidate to against Republican U.S. Rep. E. Scott Garrett, has raised a significant amount of money.

Although the blind rabbi/psychologist's campaign won’t release fundraising totals until Monday, sources say that Shulman raised approximately $140,000 last quarter, bringing his amount raised so far up to about $190,000. It’s unclear how much of that will be cash on hand.

Shulman would not confirm or deny raising the sum.

"I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the enthusiasm for change here in New Jersey," he said in a statement. "Our campaign is still fresh, but we are committed to bringing this district the kind of sensible leadership that the people are thirsting for."

Running off the line, attorney Camille Abate won 40% in the 2006 Democratic congressional primary
Fifth district Democratic congressional candidate Camille Abate wants to emphasize her support from organized labor.

Last Wednesday, the Passaic County Building & Construction Trades Council sponsored a breakfast in honor of Abate, attended by representatives from several local branches of the United Association of Plumbers, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators, Asbestos Workers, the International Brotherhood of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Laborer’s International Union.