Rick DiMichelle

Jack Kelly and Chris Myers, the two leading candidates for the Republicans’ third district congressional nomination, have both indicated that they plan to keep their primary contest gentlemanly despite strong pushes from each of their counties’ Republican organizations.

“What you don’t want to turn this into is us against them,” Kelly, an Ocean County Freeholder, told PolitickerNJ.com in November. “We need to assure them that the needs of the district come first. Which one of us becomes a successful candidate comes second.”

But are the candidates merely paying lip service to civility this early in the race, or will they actually be able to live up to the idea?

If the 1984 primary race for the seat is any indication -- the last time there was a competitive primary in the district and Burlington and Ocean Counties went head-to-head – then yes, the contest may very well remain civil.

“We had a gentleman’s primary,” said retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, who went on to narrowly win that primary and then serve 12 consecutive terms in the House. “We debated the issues. Ronald Reagan was a theme of the campaign. He was very popular at the time.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has picked up the endorsements of two Republican County Chairmen: Keith Davis of Atlantic and Richard DiMichele of Camden. The two South Jersey counties make up about 11% of the Republican primary voters statewide. Rita Shade, a former Salem County GOP Chair, also announced her support of McCain.

Rudy Giuliani, the front runner in the February 5, 2008 New Jersey Republican primary, has endorsements from twelve of the 21 County Chairmen, representing about 65% of the total GOP primary voters in the state. He also has the backing of Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who lives in Atlantic County.