NJ-5

Worth noting are the comments of Stuart Rothenberg, the editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, a non-partisan political newsletter covering U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics and political developments, on the race for Congress in New Jersey's fifth district between Democrat Dennis Shulman and U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage):

Read More >

After blind rabbi/psychologist Dennis Shulman’s impressing fundraising, extensive press coverage and a Democratic wave, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) still managed to easily hold on to his seat on Tuesday.

The margin was even one point wider than in 2006, when Democrat Paul Aronsohn didn’t have nearly as many resources at his disposal.

“I think it really honestly was his message, especially his fiscal conservatism.  The smaller government, less taxes message really resonates with 5th District voters,” said Garrett Campaign Manager Amanda Gasperino.  “We did a really good job getting his message out and communicating it effectively, which is why you saw an even larger win this cycle.”

Read More >

Some clever campaign tactics, a successful fundraising operation, newspaper endorsements, a political environment that was advantageous to Democrats, and a late campaign visit from Christopher Van Hollen wasn't enough to help blind Rabbi Dennis Shulman run any stronger against U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett than any of this the three previous Democratic candidates.  Garrett beat Shulman 56%-42%, a stronger showing than his 55%-44% win over Paul Stuart Aronsohn in 2006.  Anne Wolfe won 41% in 2005, and Anne Sumers won 38% in 2002.

Read More >

U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) was re-elected to a fourth term, defeating Democrat Dennis Shulman by a 57%-42% margin.

Read More >

With absentee ballots counted in eight of Bergen County's seventy municipalities, Barack Obama leads John McCain 54%-46% -- 1,118 to 956.  Four years ago, George W. Bush carried these same towns (Allendale, Alpine, Bergenfield, Bogota, Edgewater, South Hackensack, Woodridge and Wyckoff) by a 51%-49% margin over John Kerry.  

In the race for Congress in the 5th district, where absentee ballots in only Allendale, Alpine, Bergenfield, and Wyckoff have been counted, incumbent Scott Garrett leads Dennis Shulman by a 52%-48% margin -- 591 to 549.  In 2004, Garrett carried these four towns by a 55%-45% margin.

Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan leads challenger Diane Testa by a 63%-37% margin on absentee ballots in these eight towns, while Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg leads Republican Dick Zimmer by a 53%-47% margin on absentee ballots.  That puts Donovan, a Republican, 17 points ahead of McCain and 16 points ahead of Zimmer. 

Read More >

HOBOKEN – Between greeting commuters boarding a train headed to northern Bergen County, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) said that Democratic challenger Dennis Shulman hasn’t given him any more of a scare than opponents in elections past.

“No. But I take every race very seriously, and we’re doing the same here,” he said. “I know that the DCCC has become involved in this race, and that of course has not occurred in the past.”

Still, Garrett acknowledged that the Democrats appeared poised for big victories in the House and Senate. But he doesn’t fear the wrath of a Democratic wave, despite his conservatism. Even if that happens, Garrett said, voters in the district may split the ticket: vote for Obama, and yet still vote for him – the most conservative member of the New Jersey delegation.

Read More >

Speaking on a conference call a few hours prior to joining congressional candidate Dennis Shulman to appeal to commuters at Hoboken Terminal, Senate President Dick Codey asked what New Jerseyans have to gain by sending U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) back for another term.

“If you look at it now, what do we gain by sending Garrett back? People in the Republican Party say he’s a marginal figure, and he’s a marginal figure in the minority,” he said.

Read More >

It’s a war of endorsements in the 5th District today.

U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett’s (R-Wantage) campaign just rolled out its second big name election eve endorsement: publishing tycoon Steve Forbes.

Forbes, a New Jersey native, kept his endorsement brief.

“I’ve known Scott for years. He’s a fiscal conservative who puts taxpayers before big government,” he said in a statement. “Congress needs more common-sense leaders like him.”

Read More >

Not to be outdone by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s endorsement of Democrat Dennis Shulman, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) today announced the support of Bloomberg’s predecessor, former Republican mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

And while Bloomberg’s endorsement of Shulman centered mostly around the gun control issue, Giuliani said he was backing Garrett because of his fiscal conservatism.

"I am pleased to endorse Scott Garrett today because we share the same fiscally conservative principles,” said Giuliani in a statement. Read More >

JERSEY CITY – He stood with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.) before anyone else in the New Jersey Congressional delegation, and for that a crowd of Obama backers gave him his props here today when U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-Fairlawn) climbed onto the stage.

“Not only will an Obama presidency change the world,” Rothman argued. “It will change the way Americans see each other.”

The congressman soaked up the cheers.

He won’t be here with his fellow New Jerseyans come Tuesday night.

Read More >