New Jersey Republican: US Senate - Update

The Republican Senate primary in New Jersey will be held on Tuesday, June 3. We have three candidates vying for the nomination.

Dick Zimmer is a reserved former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the state Legislature. He currently practices law and is a federal lobbyist.

Murray Sabrin is a former Libertarian who bills himself as a maverick Republican with experience in running statewide elections. The Ramapo College of New Jersey professor previously ran unsuccessfully to become governor and a U.S. senator.

Joseph Pennacchio presents himself as "Jersey Joe," a sort of regular guy who once shined shoes at Coney Island and now wants to trade his seat in the state Senate for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

The winner will likely face Democratic incumbent Frank Lautenberg in November.

NYT - G.O.P. candidates in NJ seek name recognition

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Some polls show Mr. Zimmer as the possible front-runner though Sabrin disputes that.

Over the weekend, Pennacchio campaign signs appeared around the Parisppany-Morristown area. The few Sabrin signs that I saw were gone. A bit of last-minute spending by the dentist to swap Republican primary voters?

The former Libertarian has won past Senate debates with the other two candidates, but it is unsure whether these will translate into votes for Sabrin.

Also, candidates are also waiting for the endorsement of former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, supposedly the leader of the conservative wing of the NJ Republican Party. Both Pennacchio and Sabrin have made statements saying that Lonegan will endorse them before tomorrow's election.