John Ensign

U.S. Senate candidate Dick Zimmer walked into the convention hall today and found something unusual: delegates were sitting relatively quietly.

“I’ve been to a lot of conventions, but this one is unlike any of the others. For one thing, we don’t know what’s going to happen day to day, and we’ve gotten a reality check,” said Zimmer. “There’s a world of politics, and there’s a world of real Americans who all of us are thinking of first right now.”

It was also the first time Zimmer encountered such a subdued mood the many conventions he’s attended. His first was in 1968 when Zimmer, then a law student who managed to get on the floor, watched as Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller and Ronald Reagan jostled for the nomination. During that convention, some lesser-known candidates put their names in as well – including New Jersey Sen. Clifford P. Case.

“Here is something Wally Edge might know,” said Zimmer. “You know who made the nominating speech for Case? It was C. Douglas Dillon, who was in Kennedy’s cabinet.”

Maverick Murray Asks The Tough Questions

Concerning the withdrawal of Andy Unanue from the U.S. Senate race, Dr. Murray Sabrin's spokesman George Ajjan offered the following statement:

"As a Washington, D.C. lobbyist, I'm sure Dick Zimmer has Senator John Ensign's number on speed dial."

Biotech millionaire John Crowley is still mulling a bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, according to his top political advisor.

“There has been no formal decision yet,” said Bill Spadea, who has been directing Crowley’s fledgling campaign. “From my perspective as John Crowley’s friend, I want to make sure he’s making a completely informed decision. We are thrilled that lots of folks are collecting signatures for John.”

Crowley announced on Monday that he would not run, but has reconsidered after calls from presidential candidate John McCain and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the Chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Republican sources say that Ensign told Unanue this week that Crowley is their first choice, and urged the Goya Foods heir to drop his Senate bid if Crowley runs. But Ensign pledged to support Unanue in a three-way contest with State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio and Ramapo College Professor Murray Sabrin.

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.

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, spoke to Andy Unanue today and told him that his first choice as the GOP Senate candidate is biotech millionaire John Crowley – but that Unanue is his second choice, according to a source close to Republican strategist.

Princeton biotech executive John Crowley, who had declined to run for Senate, is reconsidering and will make a decision soon, according to friend and advisor Bill Spadea.

“John is tremendously impressed by the outpouring of support and encouragement that has come from his colleagues, his friends and his family. People of all political beliefs have come forward to offer their good wishes for a potential U.S. Senate run, and they sense what a special opportunity a Crowley candidacy presents for the citizens for New Jersey,” said Spadea. “John and his family are considering this enormous well of support, and will be making a decision shortly.”

As Goya Foods heir Andy Unanue starts his first ever race for elected office, he’ll have an experienced team waiting for him.

Once he gets back from Colorado.

Unanue is on a vacation with his extended family in Vail, and he won’t be returning to New Jersey in time to attend the Republican conventions scheduled for this week in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Middlesex and Salem Counties. He planned the trip a year ago, he said, and even a Senate candidacy isn’t enough to make him shirk the familial responsibility.

Instead, he’ll send surrogates to the conventions, and will address screening committees in conference calls. He plans to return to his homes in New Jersey and New York City early next month.

“I’m not a politician. I don’t really worry about how hard it’s going to be,” Unanue said when asked if not being able to attend the conventions will hurt his chances. “I’m worried about winning the primary and the election. I’m in the process of aligning myself with what I would consider the best and most talented staff.”

Anne Evans EstabrookNational Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign justified his $10,000 contribution to New Jersey Republican U.S. Senate candidate Anne Evans Estabrook to a group of conservative bloggers today during a conference call.

Ensign, who represents Nevada in the Senate, said that the decision was mainly based on practicality – that Estabrook is the most likely of the three current Republican candidates to win an election. While she’s considered a social moderate, Ensign said that her presence in the Senate would support socially conservative causes.

Congratulations to Kristen Materek, the winner of the Jersey Joe Pennacchio Steak Dinner Challenge. When Joe Pennacchio entered the race for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination two weeks ago, PolitickerNJ.com reporter Matt Friedman asked him what he thought about Anne Evans Estabrook receiving campaign contributions from Senate Minority Leader Mitchell McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I’m a Jersey Joe. I’m an average Joe. Ask the average person who Ensign and McConnell are. If you get one person out of a thousand who knows who they are who’s not an insider, I’ll buy you a steak dinner,” said Pennacchio. PolitickerNJ.com asked readers to ask non-insiders to identify Ensign and McConnell. And Pennacchio agreed to buy the winner a steak dinner.