Addiego: “Lonegan’s No Reagan”

Steve Lonegan campaigning for U.S. Senate in 2013.

By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

Dawn Addiego
Dawn Addiego

The CD3 GOP Primary begins in earnest today, Save Jerseyans, and there are already shots fired from Burlington to Ocean.

“I find it ironic that Steve Lonegan chose to announce his candidacy for Congress on President Ronald Reagan’s birthday, apparently trying to wrap himself in Reagan’s legacy when the similarities between Mayor Lonegan and President Reagan are virtually non-existent,” said Senator Dawn Addiego (R-Burlington), in a press release dropped only hours before Steve Lonegan’s CD3 campaign launch in Toms River.

Ouch.

Addiego’s harsh assessment of Lonegan echos those of former Burlco Chairman Glenn Paulsen who recently declared Lonegan unfit for the nomination.

“President Reagan promoted the inclusive ‘big tent’ approach to building our party, and in the process strengthened the Republican brand with an optimistic, hopeful vision for the future of our country that captured the imagination – and the votes – of a vast majority of Americans,” continued Addiego in her scathing release. “Unfortunately, Mayor Lonegan has taken the exact opposite approach over the last decade, and the results have been disastrous. The fact of the matter is that Mayor Lonegan has lost elections for Congress, Governor (twice) and the U.S. Senate, in part, due to a style that is angry and positions that are callous,” added Senator Addiego. “Mayor Lonegan’s record and rhetoric drives away the middle-of-the-road voters we appeal to and win here in Burlington County. If we want to keep the 3rd Congressional District in Republican hands, we need a candidate who will emulate President Reagan in word and deed, not just use his birthday as a prop for a campaign kickoff.”

Former Freeholder Bruce Garganio and Randolph Mayor Tom MacArthur are said to be the lead contenders for the Bill Layton-led Burlington GOP organization of which Addiego is a key member. The latter candidate is said to be making the rounds and favorably impressing both establishment and grassroots organizations.

At least one dozen other potential contenders include financial executive Chris Isola.

In private but not-so shyly, Burlco Republicans say they’re worried about the potential down-ballot effect of the controversial and unapologetically confrontational Lonegan heading their ticket in a freeholder board “control year.” The eventual GOP nominee will face Aimee “Obamacare?” Belgard, a sitting Burlington Democrat freeholder.

Ocean County GOP Chairman is reportedly still undecided but leaning ever-so-slightly in MacArthur’s direction.

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8405 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

4 Comments

  1. Ironic how she breaks Reagan’s 11th commandment on Reagan’s birthday, by referencing Reagan the man no less. ….. Where is the “big tent” she desires when she is pushing others out?

  2. From her mouth to God’s ear!

    Since Steve Lonegan is the fakiest of fake Republicans — he’s a conniving opportunist in politics only for his own purposes — she violates no commandment. Instead, she does a public service by calling out a charlatan who is wholly unfit for any public office in the land.

    Lonegan is a loser. Look at his track record — it spells nothing but LOSER!

    He needs to follow the advice of Oliver Cromwell: “”YOU HAVE BEEN SAT TO LONG HERE FOR ANY GOOD YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. DEPART, I SAY, AND LET US HAVE DONE WITH YOU. IN THE NAME OF GOD, GO!.”

  3. Steve will be victorious in November.Say what you wish.Democratic controlled State of NJ. is tough!!!Rinos abound.Steves legally blind,sees more than his detractors. Nothing more to say.I wont join in gutter comments.Hope you drive bys are proud of yourselves. NATE

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