That was quick. From PolitickerNJ.com:
Senate Minority Leader-designate Tom Kean, Jr. said today that he will not run for Congress in 2008:“For the last seven years, Congressman Ferguson has been a dedicated public servant who has served the 7th Congressional District with honor and distinction as a strong advocate for a more secure homeland and lower taxes.
“I would like to thank the various party leaders, activists and supporters who have reached out to me and urged me to run for Congress. However, I will not be a candidate for Congressman Ferguson’s seat.”
Many viewed Tom Kean, Jr. as a formidable GOP candidate for the seat. He probably would’ve been. But, the GOP bench in this district is pretty deep and they could end up with a monster primary.
Some possible candidates, as identified by Dale Florio, the chairman of the Somerset County Republican Party:
Florio’s short list includes former U.S. Rep. Bob Franks, Assemblyman Pete Biondi, Freeholder Jack Ciatterelli, Warren Township Mayor Victor Sordillo, and Bedminister Councilman Finn Caspersen. He said he had not yet heard from Sen.-Elect Kip Bateman, who is out of the country.
Other names include former Hillsborough Deputy Mayor Chris Venis (no jokes please), who announced his bid earlier today, NJ Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, and Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks.
While the GOP sorts itself out, Democrats are uniting behind state Rep. Linda Stender, who nearly upset Ferguson in 2006:
NJ Democratic party chairman Joe Cryan:“I also want to strongly reaffirm the confidence Democrats have in Linda Stender and her ability to defeat any Republican who replaces Mr Ferguson on the ballot. She is the right candidate for the Democratic Party and the right person to represent the people of the 7th Congressional District.
EMILY’s List was also quick to pounce on the news of Ferguson’s retirement, and came out with an endorsement of Stender. Their endorsement carries a lot of fundraising heft, giving any potential primary challengers serious pause.
AHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA. So much for that.
Keane lost this primary before to Mike Ferguson. Talk about running scared, Jr. is sitting out scared. Just another legacy jerk from the Republicans (Whitman was the daughter of the former state party boss/ rich guy and then W ….)