2020 SENATE: Meissner notches endorsement while Singh works to expand donor base

NEWARK, N.J. – The five-deep field of potential 2020 Republican Booker challengers continues to gear up, Save Jerseyans, though next year’s Garden State House battles in NJ-02, 3, 5, 7 and 11 are attracting most of the in-state and national GOP attention.

On Tuesday, whistleblower attorney Stuart Meissner announced the endorsement of long-time Hudson County Republican Chairman Joe Arango.

“Cory Booker is always looking for the next best thing. That’s not Stuart Meissner. Stuart’s only focus will be on New Jersey—and not on higher office,” said Arango who is well-trafficked and popular in NJGOP circles. “He’s a different kind of candidate who will clean up our state that has been left badly broken by greed and corruption. We deserve a problem-solver who cares about the hard-working people of the Garden State. We need a Republican who will unify all our members as the Party of Growth Opportunity and Prosperity—that’s our next Senator, Stuart Meissner.”

Hirsh Singh (via Facebook)

Meanwhile, Atlantic County’s Hirsh Singh – who has sought federal and state-wide office before – is seeking to repair his intra-party image as a promising young talent who nevertheless hasn’t demonstrated fundraising ability independent of his family’s personal resources

According to Singh’s campaign, this cycle’s donor pool is far more diverse than it’s been in the past when he ran for NJ-02 and governor. Here’s what a spokesperson told Save Jersey shortly before Election Day 2019:

– 2468 individual donors
– 886 individuals donors from NJ
– Donations from 366 NJ towns
– Donations from all 50 states
– Average gift: approximately $45

Meissner

He’ll need to keep it up into the new year to build a competitive organization. Singh raised $177,000 in this year’s 3rd Quarter but reportedly has a little over $30,000 cash on hand. Meissner posted $257,425 due in large part to monies given by the candidate to his own campaign. We’ll find out how both candidates fared in Quarter #4 sometimes early next year. 

Three other candidates are also in the GOP primary as of now: Tricia Flanagan, Natalie Lynn Rivera, and most recently Pharmacist and attorney Rik Mehta. We don’t yet know what Mehta will raise. Neither Flanagan or Rivera have reported significant fundraising hauls as of this writing. 

A change in state law means Cory Booker will be on the ballot for U.S. Senate next November even in the unlikely event he is on the national Democrat ticket.

New Jersey hasn’t elected a Republican U.S. Senator since Clifford Case in 1972.

Matt Rooney
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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.