PolitickerNJ has the confirmation: Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ-01) will challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic primary for NJ-Sen. The primary is June 3rd. A new poll shows Lautenberg with a hefty lead, but undoubtedly name rec is playing a big role here. Meanwhile, NJ pols are rushing to pick sides. This is going to be a serious battle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other members of Congress jump in as well.
This also opens up Andrews’ House seat, a safe D+14 district. Undoubtedly there will be a ton of scrambling to succeed Andrews.
Game on, may the most Progressive congress-critter win.
1. NJ-01 is a safe district. We don’t need to worry about losing it, especially in a pro-Democrat time like this.
2. What was Andrews voting record? Liberal/progressive? Moderate Democrat (80% party unity on voting or less)
3. Who are our possible replacements? Who do we like?
Does he really think he has a chance? Does he have a chance?
And how much money is the DSCC going to have to waste on this race?
For other serious representatives, like Frank Pallone or Rush Holt, to enter the fray. Personally, while I do not favor the fact that Lautenberg is staying in the race, because I really do fear him dieing in office, I do think that he is still preferable to Andrews. However, both Pallone and Holt are solid progressives, and should be heartily supported by the blogosphere were either to get in (both hopefully not both).
Then why not. A waste of money but I guess in the end it just means Andrews loses his House seat and hopefully we get a progressive in it.
Anyone have lists of local pols? Preferably progressive ones?
Although Lautenberg announced he was running for re-election, Andrews is still going to try to push him out.
Plus, he has few other opportunities. Corzine will run again in 09, Menendez will definitely run again 2012. So that makes 2013 the next possible time a statewide seat opens up.
Check out the last table in this diary:
http://www.swingstateproject.c…
Andrews makes the list for being 100 spots “more conservative” than his district would indicate.
for Andrews’ Congressional seat?
if this doesn’t work out. A couple of folks have touched on this already, but there is no way Andrews can win this, even one on one against lautenberg. if more congressmen ran against lautenberg, they would simply split the anti lautenberg minority. holt and pallone would not consider this at this point, especially after they appeared supporting lautenberg.