Tag: NJ-01

Guess who’s running to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Rob Andrews?

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews is calling key local Democrats today to inform them he is planning to run for his congressional seat after months of vowing he would not. The veteran Camden County Democrat is expected to receive the full support of South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross who according to a report on PolitickerNJ.com last week had told Andrews he would respect whatever decision he reached.

Of course, Rob Andrews repeatedly denied that he’d be running again, and bristled at the suggestion that his wife’s successful primary bid was just a stalking horse for his congressional re-entry after his Senate campaign fizzled.

The press conference will be held tomorrow morning.

(H/T: Blue Jersey)

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.

Could Frank Lautenberg’s bid for another term in the U.S. Senate a complication in the form of a primary challenge?  From the Star-Ledger:

Rep. Robert Andrews (D-1st Dist.) announced today he is thinking of challenging U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) for the Democratic nomination.

A statement issued this afternoon by Andrews’ chief of staff, Bill Caruso, said, “Over the last few days, Congressman Andrews has been approached by many leaders of the Democratic Party who have urged him to step forward and run for the Senate because they think that 2008 is a year where voters are seeking a change in government. Because he respects the judgment of these leaders, he is carefully considering how to best to serve New Jersey and the country.”

Andrews was the only New Jersey Democrat in the House of Representatives not present today for a “unity rally’ in support of Lautenberg, who formally announced he is seeking a fifth six-year term.

Andrews currently sits on a $1 million $2.4 million nest egg, and could marshal enough resources to give Lautenberg a bit of a headache.  Not being much of a fan of Andrews’ machine pol style, or his record in Congress, I hope that this challenge doesn’t materialize.