Garden State Patriot

Next year’s New Jersey gubernatorial election will be a critical one for Republicans and conservatives. Coming off the disastrous 2008 election, the New Jersey Governor’s race will be in the spotlight. It represents a real opportunity to right the Republican ship and demonstrate to voters, once again, that we are the party of fiscal restraint.

However, as I canvass the media and the blogosphere, you would think U.S. Attorney Chris Christie were already the party’s nominee. Certainly, Christie has a solid record of fighting corruption in this state. But, as of now, there’s not much else we know about Christie. The fact that he seems to be the choice of the party establishment causes concern for this voter. The last thing we need is another Democrat-lite candidate who won’t be committed to making the real changes New Jersey needs.

Moreover, we are told by the ‘elites’ in New Jersey that a conservative can’t win in this deeply blue state. That may be so, but that is not an excuse for not giving the voters a real choice and nominating a serious candidate. Those in the media and the blogosphere who are propping up Christie are doing New Jersey and Republican voters a disservice in my opinion.

While I will be open to listening to Chris Christie or any other candidate who decides to run, at this time I will be supporting Steve Lonegan for Governor and would also urge you to support his candidacy (please see link on my sidebar). I have met Steve a few times now and I have read his book Putting Taxpayers First. His knowledge of the state is unmatched and he will be totally committed to putting us back on a sane course.

Steve will be formally announcing his run for Governor on Monday. He will need all the grassroots support he can at these early stages of the campaign. So, please check out his site and do what you can to support his candidacy.