Up until now? We haven’t heard many dramatic points of contrast between the remaining viable GOP U.S. Senate candidates: Cape May developer Curtis Bashaw and Mendham Mayor Christine Glassner.
Bashaw – who currently boasts most of the lines representing 60%+ of the 2020 primary vote share – predictably served up a strong rebuke of U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi’s injunction effectively striking down the line for the 2024 election cycle.
“The decision today, made by an activist judge, will weaken vital Constitutional rights, make elections more expensive, and could empower dark money special interests and Super PACs, leaving yet another stain of this Murphy legacy on New Jersey. Any changes to our election statute should be made legislatively by our elected representatives, not from an appointed judge who’s intent on legislating from the bench,” said Bashaw. “As I entered this campaign, I approached it like I did any business venture. I did my research and learned the rules of the game, competing county by county. Our campaign dedicated time and resources, followed the rules and processes and determined to form political associations throughout the state. To change the rules in the middle of the process is plainly not fair.”
Glassner, who holds considerably fewer lines, predictably endorsed the decision.
“This is an important decision that eliminates the county lines on the ballot in the June primary and makes me the clear frontrunner in the race for the U.S. Senate. The county lines are now irrelevant and the playing field has been leveled for a pro-Trump, grassroots-supported candidate such as me over a Democrat-loving elitist such as my opponent Curtis ‘Bacaw’ Bashaw,” said Glassner. “Judge Quraishi should be praised for this very important decision that returns power to the people where it belongs.”
Glassner does have the line in her home county of Morris, but the Morris GOP is bitterly opposed to the court’s decision unlike its endorsed Senate candidate and has asked the judge through counsel whether the injunction applies only to Democrats or both major parties.
Meanwhile, Bashaw backed out of his commitment to participate in a debate co-hosted by Save Jersey early on Friday mere hours before the federal court issued its injunction. Glassner is still expected to appear for the debate (albeit by herself as of now) on Wednesday, April 3rd at 8:00 p.m.
