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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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REPUBLICAN PRIMARY COMES DOWN TO TWO PEOPLE The race is in the homestretch and it is too close to call. After at least one year of buildup, the Republican primary for Governor is in its last month. While the field is still wide open with seven candidates, it appears that it has become a two-man race. Barring a surge or late breaking scandal, either former West Windsor Mayor Doug Forrester or former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler will win the party’s nomination. The men have run a contrasting style of campaign but both remain united in their belief that a Republican candidate is far more preferable than is Senator Jon Corzine. As most New Jersey residents know, Schundler lost in the general election to James McGreevey four years ago. McGreevey’s reign was a disaster and in retrospect, the state would have been better off with Schundler at the helm. Democrats were successful in painting Schundler as a far right winger, which doesn’t play well to the New Jersey electorate. This time around, Schundler has learned from that experience and is wisely portraying himself and his campaign as the champion of property tax relief. Meanwhile, Forrester is positioning himself as the moderate who will reform the corruption in Trenton. He probably has the support of mainstream Republicans and would be very acceptable to those Republicans who will be sharing the fall ticket with him. In contrast to Schundler, who is accepting taxpayer funding for his campaign, Forrester is bankrolling his effort with his own personal fortune. That might be a difficult issue come November for Republicans who want to paint Corzine as someone who buys his offices. So far, the Republican rivals have been civil. Their campaigns have been interesting to watch as Schundler presses forward with grass roots support. Forrester has gone the traditional route by cementing his support among Republican office holders and trying to win the endorsement of the county chairmen. Of course, another candidate could grab some momentum and render the Schundler/Forrestor race moot, but that doesn’t seem likely. At this point, it is a two-man toss up and whichever camp is most successful in getting their base out on June 7 will probably prevail.
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