ELECTION 2017: NJGOP Chairman, Senator Allen among early Guadagno endorsers

Guadagno (left) with Monmouth GOP Chairman and Sheriff Shaun Golden.
Guadagno (L) and Golden (R)

She hasn’t officially announced for 2017, Save Jerseyans, but Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno‘s NJGOP establishment supporters began what is expected to be an extended roll out of formal endorsements on Tuesday for her expected gubernatorial primary run.

“Lieutenant Governor Guadagno has a proven record of creating jobs and getting New Jersey’s economy moving again,” said Middlesex County GOP Chairwoman Lucille Panos in a statement released from an e-mail address apparently disassociated with any formal campaign (Guadagno has yet to officially file).  “The Lieutenant Governor is the fiscal conservative we need representing our Republican Party in next year’s gubernatorial election, and if she decides to run, she has my full support.”

The initial list includes the incumbent State Party chairman, one legislator, three county chairmen and three state committee members:

NJGOP State Chairman Samuel Raia
Senator Diane Allen
Monmouth County GOP Chairman Shaun Golden
Middlesex County GOP Chairwoman Lucille Panos
Gloucester County GOP Chairman Jim Philbin
Middlesex County GOP State Committeewoman April Bengivenga
Atlantic County GOP State Committeeman Joe Cafero
Bergen County GOP State Committeewoman Darleen Shotmeyer

Guadagno is not expected to proceed unopposed into next June’s primary.

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Nutley Township Commissioner Steven L. Rogers have already announced Republican candidacies of their own. Other possible candidates include Assembly GOP Leader Jon Bramnick, Evesham Mayor Randy Brown, State Senator Michael Doherty, and veteran SNL comedian Joe Piscopo.

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