March 27, 2008 - 2:47pm
New Jersey GOP Senate candidate lives in New York
By Editor
Millionaire businessman Andy Unanue, who entered the race for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat on Sunday, lives in New YorkAndy Unanue, who entered the race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination on Sunday, lives in New York, according to a housekeeper who answered the phone at his parents’ home in Bergen County.
Voting records show Unanue listed at an Alpine residence. A search of tax records for that home, however, shows that it is owned by his parents, Joseph and Carmine Unanue. The housekeeper confirmed that the home does not belong to Andy Unanue and he does not live there.
Unanue does own a residence at 25 Central Park West in New York City.
Unanue's campaign said that, for all intents and purposes, Unanue lives with his parents.
"Andy Unanue lives in New Jersey, he votes in New Jersey, his car is registered in New Jersey, he pays New Jersey auto insurance, and his business is in New Jersey," said Unanue Campaign Manager Mark Duffy. "Andy Unanue is New Jersey.”
The millionaire Goya Foods heir, who was courted by Republican Party leaders to enter the race after Anne Evans Estabrook dropped out earlier this month, is one of three GOP candidates seeking to challenge four-term Democrat Frank Lautenberg.
George Ajjan, a spokesman for rival Republican candidate Murray Sabrin, said that influential Republicans, in their haste to find a new candidate, had failed to vet him properly.
“Perhaps the failed party bosses like Adam “big mouth, little ears” Puharic, should do a better job of vetting candidates before they try to ram a slick New York inhabiting nightclub owning playboy down the throats of the hard working Republican rank-and-file," he said.
State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who's also running decided to hold off on commenting on the residency issue.
Candidates for the U.S. Senate are not required to live in the state they run from until Election Day. Hillary Clinton was not a New York state resident when she became a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2000.
A surrogate will represent Unanue, who's vacatioining in Vail, Colo., at Republican conventions tonight in Atlantic and Ocean Counties.
Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore, who has backed Unanue along with the rest of the county's screening committee, said that the informaiton does not change his stance and will probably not have an effect on tonight'sconvention vote.
“I am aware of the fact that there was a question of residence and requirements in how long a duration he had to have to run for U.S. Senate. It does not change my position nor do I think it will change the vote of county council tonight," he said.
Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis, who personally endorsed Unanue, could not be reached for comment.
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Quote of the Day
July 4, 2008
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
-Declaration of Independence, 07/04/1776
Recent Press Releases
- Jul 4 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Bob Torricelli is Mad at the Big, 'Mean' Bergen Record― THE MEDIA MOB
Sweeney-Buono alliance shakes up N.J. Senate― JONATHAN TAMARI
Stile: Pay to play helped to quell party insurgents ― CHARLES STILE
Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker at Midpoint ― DICK BENFIELD
MUCHAS MARGARITAS― ANDY UNANUE
NJ Economic Growth chief leaves office― Gary Rose
Candidates spend plenty of their money― Philadelphia Inquirer
News anchor sizing up run for governor― Star-Ledger
Political parties get right down to business― Daily Record
Ex-city official should give all of it back― Star-Ledger
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
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Let's see his tax returns
Oops! The IRS and New York might also be interested in where he claims to live.
Wilson and Puharic -- you really did your homework on this one!!
Is this the final nail?
No stand on issues, party animal, campaign law violations, telephone campaign, and doesn't even live in NJ.
How does John Crowley stand on the issues?
That poor housekeeper
I hope Andy doesn't add to the state's fiscal woes by this housekeeper having to go on unemployment.
Just because someone owns a
Just because someone owns a nightclub does not make him a party animal. And really, should we ban everyone from public office just because they come to work hung over from time to time. At least it was his own business.
By no means am I suggesting he would be a good candidate since I only know about him what the Sabrin camp is spinning as "dirt." None of which I find that disqualifying.
Where's Andy
"Andy Unanue lives in New Jersey, he votes in New Jersey, his car is regsitered in New Jersey, he pays New Jersey auto insurance, and his business is in New Jersey," said Unanue Campaign Manager Mark Duffy. "Andy Unanue is New Jersey.”
If that is a lie, he has committed voter fraud, motor vehicle fraud, and insurance fraud. He may also have tax problems.
You know, maybe Duffy is right. Given our hisrtory of corrupt politicians, maybe Andy is NJ!
Good week for Andy and the Republican Party so far.
Lives with Mom and Dad
A 40-year old man living with mommy and daddy? Does she pack his lunch everyday?
Wonder where his car is parked? I hear insurance fraud.
This is so embarrassing.
His NYC-club is in New Jersey?
All my rich friends who can afford mansions and penthouse condos live with their parents!
His parents must be party animals!
Question, will he admit like the NJ-governor that he has done cocaine? If he denies it, he would never get my vote. If he admits it, I might actually respect him.
Insurance Fraud is real
If Unanue primarily parks and operates his car in NY and has NJ car insurance that is insurance fraud. Auto insurance in suburban Bergen county is cheaper than NYC. I am not suggesting he keeps his car insured in NJ to save a few bucks. But nonetheless, it is still a violation of DOBI regulations and NJ insurance statutes. He is in fact a scof law on this issue.
Duffy's comment that Andy Unanue is NJ is overblown hyperbole.
April Fools?
I'm beginning to think this entire candidacy is a hoax. An elaborate beginning for a major April Fools joke on behalf of the State GOP upon the State of New Jersey. Kudos, Chairman Wilson!
Andy Unanue, the ousted drunk/hungover executive who declared for the race via statement and won county conventions via conference call from his Colorado ski resort...
Andy Unanue, whose campaign manager admitted that the candidate is commiting voter fraud by voting in a state within which he does not reside....
Andy Unanue, the supposed savior of the state GOP because they are terrified of two candidates who actually have support of the rank and file...
Seriously, folks, come April 1st, we're just going to hear this was all a joke and the state Republican leadership is not truly as stupid as this choice would lead us to believe.
re: nj_politics_2008
It wasn't his business, it was his family's business and furthermore a corporation beholden to the shareholders.
I have friends in NYC who have partied with Andy. There are VIDEOTAPES of Andy partying hard. Do you want to see them? Just wait, they are coming.
I don't want to bash Andy needlessly but he isn't a good candidate. Most importantly, I want a Republican to win the U.S. Senate seat. I will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Perhaps people don't like Murray for whatever reason, but so far he is the only educated trustworthy candidate that can beat Frank. Find another candidate who knows the issues or support Murray. It's the only option.
Please turn over EZ Pass records
To clarify. Mr Unanue could publicly release his EZ Pass monthly report. This will concluseively demonstrate whether he comes throught the Lincoln tunnel or across the GW Bridge to work every day. That will answer his residnecy question.
Also check his voting record. I bet it is not very good. I am willing to bet he has not voted in local and school board elections in Alpine.
Tom Wilson
should be slapped for this mess
someone remind me: where does Lautenberg live?
http://politickernj.com/senator-lautenberg-d-new-york
Unanue's got a Carpetbag
Hey, this candidate is from New York City.
NEW YORK CITY!?!
Wilson supports Murray secretly!
Why else would he do this?
NEWSFLASH (4/1/08): Andy Unanue drops out of the NJ Senate race from Vail, Colorado after his parents take his allowance away. His campaign manager says that Andy sprained his ankle skiing so he cannot run a campaign. Quote from Andy, "Run? Heck, I can't even walk to my limo."
In a surprise move, Chairman Wilson endorsed Murray Sabrin stating "all are base doesn't belong to us, so we will support the most educated candidate who knows the issues the best; Dr. Murray Sabrin. Let's unite our party behind the idealism of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan."
Owning a Night Club doesn't make him a party animal
But showing up at work either drunk or hung over does. It might also point to a drinking problem. I was totally open to Andy's candidacy since Murray and Jersey Joe will lead us to certain defeat, but it looks like Andy has a great deal of baggage. This is what happens when we wait until the last minute to get a credible candidate.
PS: Andy's campaign announcement on Easter Sunday was pretty tacky in my book.
raise your hand if you have ever gone to work hung-over...
c'mon people. there may be a ton of reasons why the dude is not qualified for the U.S. Senate, but showing up to work hung-over isn't one of them.
Votes in New Jersey? NOT REALLY
"Andy Unanue lives in New Jersey, he votes in New Jersey"
Actually Duff, from 2000-2005, Andy only voted in 2 primaries, so he may be eligible to vote in NJ, but chooses not to, as I will do in June for him.
You have to feel for this Duffy guy, who surely needs to be put on suicide watch after dealing with Esatbrook gaffes and now this character.
But this is what you get when you recruit these types of rich people who don't live like normal people, they follow no rules and live their own laws.
The NJGOP is a complete disgrace and they get what they deserve.
What A Joke
Messy suits, questionable judgment, no platform, doesnt live in the state, doesnt show up in the state. Please go away Andy and take your shills Ortiz, Puharic and Gilmore with you.
This one could have been called from day one
We all saw this one coming. Back to the drawing board.
We need candidates who take the position, the election, and the actual job of being a candidate a bit more seriously. Come on, This is for the US Senate, representing the State of New Jersey.
Get somebody real in there and stop making the GOP look foolish.
UH OH
Better check Sen. Lautenberg out while you are at it guys.
My bet is that there is a good chance that he is more comfortable on Central Park East (Fifth Avenue) than West of the Hudson, too.
Stick a fork in him, he's done.
He registers his car in NJ, pays NJ Auto Insurance, and has a business in New Jersey, those are quite reckless admissions. What does his personal tax return say? If it says he lives in New Jersey, he is cheating New York State by not filing as as a resident, if it says New York, he is comitting voter fraud by voting in New Jersey. Oh what a tangled web we weave....
"Hollywood is a place whre thy'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul." - Marilyn Monroe (She never knew how profound she was.)
LIVE from Unanue for Senate Headquarters
Returning LIVE to the Unanue for Senate Headquarters.
We have today's weather conditions for his campaign schedule in Vail, Colorado!!
http://www.gopusanj.com/wordpress/?p=1629
A WILSONIAN MOMENT
Who cares ?
He never wrote a thought provoking manifesto in his youth.He never went to Dental school,he never lectured in a university.
He does live in a Mc Mansion and plays golf and he passed the bar exam on the way to work many times and he knows more about a good deal on auto insurance than that little green gecko. Yep he is qualified in Wilsons book.
Andy's Voter Registration:
Name: UNANUE, ANDREW
Address: 1 ROBIN LN ALPINE, NJ 07620
Mailing Address: ALPINE
County: BERGEN
Date of Birth: 7/3/1967
Gender: MALE
VOTER INFORMATION
Party Affiliation: REPUBLICAN
Registration Date: 12/21/2000
Date Last Voted: 11/2/2004
Congressional District: 05
State Senate District: 039
State House District: 039
Precinct: ALPN
VOTING HISTORY
GENERAL ELECTION 2002: VOTED
PRIMARY ELECTION 2001: VOTED
GENERAL ELECTION 1997: VOTED
GENERAL ELECTION 1996: VOTED
Say what?
I am so confused that I cannot breath. Does this housekeeper is a Mexican?
On a serious note: a respected businessman (is he that one), 40 year old family man (did anybody say anything about his family: a wife, kids, how many?) lives with his family in his parents house. These in-laws relationships must be sweet. No wonder this guy owns a nightclub and is a drinker (oops! running for the US Senate) and maintains an apartment in Manhattan. I wonder why?
Like the Wizard of Oz!
If he clicked his heels 3 times and repeated, "There's no place like home", maybe he could claim to be from Kansas.
Crowley for Senate
Found this on YouTube about Crowley.......Pretty impresive story......his credentials look good........Got a feeling AU may thinking of making Colorado his home if Crowley officially gets in this race.......
Check out this.......it is the YouTube site that has documented things since 2001.......these videos have been up since Jan 07.....
http://youtube.com/user/CrowleyFamily5
>>>“Perhaps the failed
>>>“Perhaps the failed party bosses like Adam “big mouth, little ears” Puharic, should do a better job of vetting candidates before they try to ram a slick New York inhabiting nightclub owning playboy down the throats of the hard working Republican rank-and-file," he said.<<<
ROTF!
Köszönöm szépen King Magyar
Good hit on the videos, very informative. The more I see John, the more I like him. We may have a winner for once!