The First Skirmish In Primary 2021

The 2021 NJ GOP Gubernatorial Primary is heating up with the first skirmish being the battle for an interim state party chair. If you want actual unbiased coverage of the interim state party chair race head on over to the New Jersey Globe. They’re doing a great job covering the race.

In a nutshell, the interim NJGOP state party chair race is a skirmish between the two frontrunners in the gubernatorial primary. Michael Lavery, an ally of Chairman Doug Steinhardt was first to announce his intention to seek the post on December 10.

Apparently, this did not sit well with folks in the Jack Ciattarelli camp. Enter former US Senate candidate Bob Hugin. Ciattarelli has endorsed Hugin.

Never mind that this skirmish led me to ask why our state committee people bother electing a vice chair if the vice chair doesn’t simply step into the role of chair until the next regular election. The answer to the question, according to the party’s Constitution and By-laws, is that a vice chair is elected to fill the chair’s seat for 30 days should the chairmanship become vacant. From the by-laws:

In the event of a vacancy in any office due to death, resignation or for any reason whatsoever, an election to fill such a vacancy shall be held within thirty (30) days. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the State Chairman, then during the limiting thirty (30) day period, the Vice-Chairman shall be Chairman. In the event the vacancies in the offices of State Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Secretary shall be State Chairman. The Treasurer shall be next in line of succession.

In my opinion it is kind of dumb to elect a vice chair if said vice chair doesn’t become chair until the next regular election. But what do I know?

Furthermore, the by-laws are fairly clear that it does not matter who the chair is during the primary because the party’s responsibility is to support candidates who are nominated at the primary election. From the by-laws:

The State Committee is the sole Republican organization with state-wide representation which is given official standing by law. It is authorized to choose the members of the National Committee of the Republican Party from New Jersey, and it shares with Republican county and municipal committees the common authority to receive and disburse moneys for the purpose of maintaining Party organization, for publicizing the policies and candidates of the Republican Party nominated at the primary election.

So, basically we’re having a skirmish to see who gets to sit back and say nothing about the primary. The interim chair will have the responsibility of raising money to keep the doors open.

As to the combatants, Lavery, I don’t know him and wouldn’t know the guy if I tripped over him. Hugin, I met but don’t know him. I voted for Goldberg in the primary. I did the right thing and supported Hugin in the general election even though he distanced himself from President Donald Trump in a campaign ad.

What I’m really wondering is that with three announced gubernatorial candidates why only two camps have weighed in on this.

Where’s Hirsh Singh? Who does he back for interim chair? Is he content to just sit back in the comfort of his mom and dad’s basement and continue to post things about the presidential election on social media in an effort to get more likes?

As to the frontrunners, Ciattarelli and Steinhardt, the interim chair race could give us a little insight into how county lines might fall. The sides are definitely still working committee people for votes. I spoke to a committee woman who already committed but was called by the other camp this morning with a list of reasons she should vote the other way.

2021 is getting exciting and it’s not even Christmas yet! Stay tuned.