The first skirmishes of the NJGOP’s 2017 primary season are coming into clearer focus, Save Jerseyans, and thus far they’ve involved concerted efforts by both Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Asm. Jack Ciattarelli to establish themselves as the anti-Christie for a state party that’s increasingly weary of its beleaguered two-term leader, Governor Chris Christie, or, at the very least, Republicans deeply concerned about what his basement-level approval ratings could mean for the party’s chances of a real future at the ballot box.
A few other possible challengers — including Evesham Mayor Randy Brown, Assembly GOP Leader Jon Bramnick and Social Media enthusiast Joe Rullo — are keeping a toe in the water. All of them (except for Bramnick) have struck anti-establishment chords in the early going.
One familiar name that can’t be discounted? Particularly if the race doesn’t settle down come early next year?
Tom Kean, Jr., known as TK2 among the GOP operative class, the incumbent N.J. Senate Republican Leader and scion of a New Jersey political dynasty.
A new under-reported poll from Stockton University found Kean to be the best-known Republican (not named Christie, anyway) in South Jersey, a part of the state far-removed from his Union County legislative district.
65% recognized his name compared to 41% who knew Guadagno.
Every other polled official in the mix – Bramnick, Brown, Ciattarelli and Rullo – failed to top 11%.
Is name recognition everything? No. Not in a state where county lines usually dictate primary outcomes. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to be in a position where you don’t have to spend nearly as much money to make an initial voter introduction.
Money connections to the Bush empire (remember: Kean’s father never backed Christie in the 2016 primary cycle after the Governor backed a failed coup against his son in late 2013) are an added bonus for a Republican running in a blueish, expensive state.
Kean is one of the few GOP leaders in this state who gets around to local events — including those in oft-neglected reaches of the state — as much as the Lt. Governor herself.
He’s demonstrated ambitions for higher office in the past. Kean’s only run for state-wide office occurred in 2006 when he lost to Bob Menendez, 53.3% to 44.3%. It was the closest Democrat victory nation-wide in a bad year for Republicans. Most still expect Kean Jr. to make another go at Menendez in 2018 (or whoever is subbed in to replace him should he be convicted of pending corruption charges).
Could TK2, Part II kick off a full year early?
Sources close to the leader refuse to rule anything out.
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