Wearing a bright yellow button saying UNION YES - WAR NO, Carol Gay stepped to the podium at a Candidate Forum in Beechwood last night to make her first speech as a candidate for United States Congress. Gulp.
Yeah, well. You might have a bemused look on your face too if you just found out you were running for Congress 8 hours ago. She handled herself just fine.
Gay is challenging the mighty Chris Smith in the 4th CD, who's been there so long he's got his name scratched into the door (I jest of course, he was sworn in in 1981 at just 27). The 4th spans Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.
I just recieved an e-mail from Gary Schiavone, the Democratic nominee to take on Congressman Chris Smith in NJ-04. In it, he says the following:
"I am writing to everyone concerned to announce that I have reconsidered my run for Congress, and I will not be running for the United States Congress this year, due to conflict with my current employment and The Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 1502-1508) which restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state, county, or municipal executive agencies in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a federal agency. Under this law, I cannot accept or actively seek this public office, and I am officially declaring myself not a candidate for this position (U.S. Congressman) or for any public office, so as not to be in conflict with The Hatch Act. I am asking all concerned who have assisted me in the planning, not to participate on my behalf in any activities directed toward me seeking any ele cted office.
Update 3 (A big one, so I'm posting it up top): There WILL be two Democratic challengers to Frank LoBiondo in NJ-2. Fairfield Township councilwoman Viola Thomas-Hughes and Henry David Marcus will compete in the primary. This now means that every Republican House member in New Jersey will face a challenger in November.
According to the Division of Elections, Gary Schiavone has filed to challenge Chris Smith in the 4th Congressional district. With about two hours left until the filing deadline, no Democrat has filed in the 2nd yet to challenge LoBiondo.
The GOP has failed to file challenges to Rob Andrews (NJ-1) and Donald Payne (NJ-10).
Update 1: Donald Payne (NJ-10) will have a challenger in the primary, and Michael Cino has just filed to challenge Garrett in the primary. Assemblywoman Oadline Truitt (D) from the 28th legislative district will face a primary challenge.
(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.
Update 3 (A big one, so I'm posting it up top): There WILL be two Democratic challengers to Frank LoBiondo in NJ-2. Fairfield Township councilwoman 
