Casha

Larry Casha and Jay Webber sat down at an Applebee’s Restaurant in Parsippany last year and told each other they wouldn’t let things get too rugged in their upcoming Assembly race. The two self-described conservative Jersey natives said they’d run a positive campaign, Casha recalls. Then the two lawyers shook on it.

Maybe Marquis of Queensbury rules are in effect and perhaps nothing’s been below the belt to this point but what’s very clear in this dist. 26 Republican Primary is that the punches are already flying.

Even millionaire developer Anthony Pio Costa’s in on the action -- and Republicans say he was supposed to be the candidate who’s difficult to reach.

Not Wednesday.

The Republican primary for State Assembly in the 26th district features three newcomers jockeying for two seats: one that belongs to Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, and the other now occupied by Joseph Pennacchio, who’s moving up to the State Senate.

Vying to represent the legislative district that covers part of Morris County and three towns in Passaic, in a contest that’s likely to get ugly quickly are millionaire developer Anthony Pio Costa of Montville, former Kinnelon Council President Lawrence Casha, and attorney Jay Webber of Morris Plains, who ran for Senate in 2003 and lost to incumbent State Sen. Robert Martin, who's now retiring.

By all appearances, no one’s outright challenging power-player DeCroce. It’s understood that the three new dogs at the starting gate are battling for the seat Pennacchio’s leaving behind.

“Alex is definitely leading the band in this race,� says Leanna Brown, who represented the district in the State Senate and Assembly for thirteen years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres

March 9, 2007 973-909-4490