UPDATE: Smith (NJ-4) to Get a Serious Challenger

by: Juan Melli

Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 12:14:35 AM EST

(Bumped with updated information. - promoted by jmelli)

We're hearing that there is a candidate from the 4th district hailing from Ocean County that is willing to commit "significant" personal resources to challenge Congressman Chris Smith.

This would be a major change whereas in recent years Democrats put up only a nominal fight in the 4th. The candidate may be unveiled as early as Saturday at the Mercer County Convention.

UPDATE: The candidate's name is Gary Schiavone, who on Sunday was endorsed by the Ocean County Democratic County Committee. Schiavone works at the Paratransit Division of NYC Transit.

Juan Melli :: UPDATE: Smith (NJ-4) to Get a Serious Challenger

Tags: Ocean County, NJ4, Chris Smith, Gary Schiavone, Mercer County, (All Tags)

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UPDATE: Smith (NJ-4) to Get a Serious Challenger | 6 comments

great news! (0.00 / 0)

That is really wonderful.

I wish someone would appear in NJ-02.

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

by: Hopeful @ Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 15:27:46 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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Great to hear (0.00 / 0)

No one should run unopposed - least of all the Bush rubber-stamps posing as "NJ Republicans."

by: Jeff Gardner @ Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 19:40:44 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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Who is he? (0.00 / 0)

It's great that Smith's not going to go unopposed, but I'm not convinced this guy is a "serious" challenger. Has he held any elected office before? Run for any? Where's his money coming from? What kind of donor base can he rally?

I Googled him, but I'm coming up with bupkiss, save that he was on a "Community Transit Roadeo" committee in 2006. I went to the organization website, and all they have is a picture of him with Corzine. If he was endorsed on Sunday, shouldn't they at least have a bio on him up there? Some idea of his platform? Where's his website?

On the surface, this guy looks like another nominal fight in the 4th.

by: sucopsucoh @ Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 21:44:32 PM CST

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Agree, but wait and see (0.00 / 0)

It's early yet. My first impression is to agree with you but am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since it's his first campaign for office that we could find (of course I googled him too.) If he's just recently decided to run, things such as a staff and a website may be just around the corner.

Give him some time, maybe even a month or so, before we label him a nominal contender.

-Sharon GR

by: Sharon GR @ Fri Mar 31, 2006 at 08:17:02 AM CST

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