Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has followed through on previous reports that he was considering moving the June 2nd primary. Yesterday, the Governor confirmed the New Jersey partisan primary election will now take place on July 7th.
Responding to news that a large percentage of his ballot petition signatures were ruled invalid, Barnegat Township Mayor John Novak announced that he is dropping out of the race. In his exiting statement, Mr. Novak made a public endorsement for venture capitalist David Richter, who most of the local party establishment is supporting. The winner of the Republican primary race between he and former Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs will challenge freshman Rep. Andy Kim (D-Bordentown) in the general election.
Reports are emanating from the Garden State that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has decided to move the state’s primary from June 2nd to July 7th as a further COVID-19 precaution. An announcement will be forthcoming shortly. States with later primaries now have more leeway in transferring their nominating elections since the Democratic National Convention has now moved to August 17-20.
The New Jersey Globe news website reports that Garden State Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is saying he’d be “stunned” if the state’s June 2nd primary is held as scheduled. He has not made any decision to move the election yet, but such a comment is an indication of what may soon happen. The Governor said the Democrats moving their national convention from mid-July to a commencement date of August 17th gives him more flexibility in changing the New Jersey primary date.
More Governors and election officials are keeping their primary calendars intact but are changing their voting systems. As a precaution for COVID-19, a significant number of states are now implementing procedural changes from in-person voting to casting their votes by mail.
At the end of last week, political leaders in the following entities are the latest to take such action in relation to their upcoming primaries: Massachusetts (May 30 local elections), Minnesota (Aug 11 statewide primary), Nebraska (May 12), New Jersey (June 2), North Dakota (June 9), Ohio (ballots must be post-marked on or before April 27), and West Virginia (May 12). New Jersey Republican Party leaders successfully convinced venture capitalist David Richter to end his primary challenge of recent party switching Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis Township/Atlantic City) and will instead oppose freshman Democrat Andy Kim (Bordentown) in the neighboring 3rd District.
The party leaders saved a potentially expensive primary for Mr. Van Drew who, as most party switchers find, could be vulnerable in his first Republican nomination contest. Mr. Richter clearly has the ability to self-fund his campaign, and now will center his efforts against Rep. Kim instead of another Republican. Upon exiting his 2nd District foray Mr. Richter publicly endorsed Rep. Van Drew and indicated his desire in running for Congress is to “flip a congressional seat.” Last week, the New Jersey Republican Party leaders were successful in coaxing candidates away from forcing competitive primaries in challenge races and instead finding other places to run. Former congressional committee staff member Rosemary Becchi, instead of battling state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. for the Republican nomination, jumped from the 7th District to the 11th, and will now battle freshman Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill (Montclair/ Morristown).
Now, the party leaders and even former Governor Chris Christie (R) are attempting to convince venture capitalist David Richter to refrain from challenging party-switching Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis Township/Atlantic City) and instead move into the neighboring 3rd District to oppose freshman Democrat Andy Kim (D-Bordentown). Some of the Republican leaders have already endorsed former Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs, but her fundraising has so far been disappointing thus the opportunity lies for a stronger candidate to come forward. Attorney and former congressional committee staff member Rosemary Becchi has opted out of a Republican primary fight against state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District and will now switch her campaign to challenging freshman Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair/Morristown) in the neighboring 11th CD.
Certainly, the move gives Ms. Becchi a better chance of advancing to the general election and, arguably, the 11th District is actually more favorable to a Republican candidate, but Ms. Sherrill proved to be one of the strongest 2018 open seat candidates, nationally. The move is undoubtedly a good move for the party, since it will now give Republicans two strong candidates in previous GOP districts that were lost in 2018. Whether the move ultimately benefits Ms. Becchi remains to be seen. It appears the New Jersey Republican Party is getting ready to formally back party-switching Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis Township/Atlantic City). GOP state chairman Doug Steinhardt issued a statement yesterday saying, “he’s the incumbent Congressman and we’re here to be supportive…that’s our job, that’s what we do.” Mr. Van Drew left the Democratic Party after opposing President Trump’s impeachment. Three Republicans are in the primary campaign including self-funding contender David Richter.
Acknowledging his path to victory for the Democratic nomination has failed to materialize and with trouble qualifying as a future debate participant, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) has ended his presidential quest. He will now concentrate on winning a second term as New Jersey’s junior Senator as he stands for re-election later this year. Sen. Booker never was able to steer his campaign past low single digit polling and looked to fare poorly in the First Four states whose electorates will cast their ballots throughout February.
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