Does the NRCC have a one-seat pick-up strategy in New Jersey?

By Rubashov

New Jersey’s congressional candidates don’t even have districts yet. The challengers keep multiplying. At last count, there were at least three in CD03, two in CD05, two in CD07, and three in CD11.

And yet, it all seems to be about just one candidate in district whatever it might be… Tom Kean Jr.

After losing two congressional campaigns and one for the United States Senate, State Senator Kean appears to be leaving nothing to chance in securing a federal seat at the next opportunity. He controls the Republican side of the congressional reapportionment process. And he has promoted former staffers – with less than spectacular war records – to staff positions at the NRCC’s high command.

Perhaps this accounts for the remarkable attentiveness of the Republican Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, who joined Kean and Save Jersey’s Matt Rooney for a “diner booth chat” yesterday, the day Kean chose to announce his candidacy for Congress from a district whose boundaries do not yet exist. Next up for McCarthy is an interview with the “Mastermind” of Bridgegate. Perhaps Ken Kurson will join them and add luster to the proceedings? Does McCarthy even know any of this?

So, a district is being made to order in as much as that is possible. The trouble with this is getting the balance right. Too swing, and Kean risks a repeat of his last go-round with Tom Malinowski. Too Republican and he risks a challenge from those wild guys on the right. And they won’t wait. They’re like McCarthy. The moment they smell blood in the water, they’ll be there and everyone will know it.

One other thing…

Kevin McCarthy isn’t a household name in New Jersey. He is a very powerful and influential figure but remains ill-defined in the minds of most voters. But that is changing – and that change presents risk.

Have a look at this video. It is from an episode of Tucker Carlson, the most watched cable news host in America and someone who is wildly popular with the GOP base in however you carve a district. It is about the GOP, the NRCC, Kevin McCarthy, and messaging. It is also about opioids… and responsibility – and assigning blame. So, pay attention.

America's most popular cable news host lays the blame...

“This is the guy Republican leaders just went to this week for, quote, messaging guidance on hot topics. And you wonder why you no longer recognize the party that you vote for.”

Tucker Carlson