Except for one congressman.

Two serious candidates square off

The primary fight will be waged by two of New Jersey’s most well-known and well-financed politicians. Lautenberg was first elected to the Senate in 1983 and served until 2001. After two years on the sidelines after he chose not to run for re-election, he returned to center stage after former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli was compelled to end his re-election effort in the wake of a campaign finance scandal. Lautenberg took his place, triumphing over Republican candidate Doug Forrester in the November 2002 Senate election. Lautenberg has close to $4.3 million in his campaign war chest, as well as considerable personal financial resources stemming from his role as co-founder of ADP, the payroll management services corporation.

Andrews has been the congressman representing New Jersey’s First Congressional District since 1990. A moderate, he has $2.4 million in his own campaign coffers, as well as the support of the well-heeled and well-connected George Norcross III, a South Jersey power broker who is one of the most influential political personalities in the state. Andrews ran for governor in 1997, narrowly losing in the Democratic primary to Jim McGreevey. He later considered running for Senate in 2006, ultimately deciding to support the eventual winner, Robert Menendez.

Allies stand up for N.J.’s senior senator

At the March 31 Trenton rally, Gov. Corzine stood before more than 100 Democratic activists and officials and pointed to his perception of U.S. Sen. Lautenberg’s political acumen and personal character as reasons for his support.

"We all appreciate that this is a very able man,…and one of the most highly ethical people that I have ever dealt with in my life," he said. "He has an incredible record of success on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Frank is an achiever, if you haven’t noticed, in every aspect of his life."

U.S. Rep. Rothman has noticed Lautenberg’s work, and has decided who should follow in his footsteps.

"There is no one better to succeed Frank Lautenberg than Frank Lautenberg," he said.

Lautenberg states his case

Shortly after Rothman spoke, Lautenberg stepped to the forefront to state his reasons for running again.

"Our economy is weaker, the world is not safer and New Jersey’s working families are more worried about their future and their children’s future than ever before," he said. "And that’s why New Jersey needs a U.S. Senator that’s going to fight for the change in the direction that we desperately need. I’m pleased to undertake that test."

Some political observers have questioned whether Lautenberg will actually be able to undertake that test due to his age. After announcing his re-election bid, Lautenberg addressed questions regarding his age and stamina directly, even defiantly.

"My fitness? You might want to talk to my wife about my fitness," he said. "The age is not the factor. The question is effectiveness. Can this guy continue to serve the State of New Jersey as well as he has in the past, maybe even better because there is more experience all the time?"

"I’m not promising this is going to be my last term," Lautenberg added.

Rothman rallies behind Lautenberg

Lautenberg’s formal re-election campaign announcement, followed two days later by Andrews’ official declaration of a primary challenge, created a political ripple effect throughout the state that was thoroughly unpredictable. For example, Bergen County native and Newark Mayor Cory Booker sided with Lautenberg. However, Newark power broker Stephen Adubato Sr., a major Booker supporter, has endorsed Andrews.

Bergen County also witnessed a Democratic rift regarding which candidate to support. State Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) decided to back Andrews, while Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero ultimately endorsed Lautenberg.

Ferriero’s decision to stick with Lautenberg reportedly came about after a serious flirtation with the Andrews camp. However, Rothman and Ferriero reportedly had a conversation in which the Ninth District congressman, who may have Senatorial ambitions himself, warned Ferriero that a move in Andrews’ direction could mean electoral disaster for him. Rothman supposedly informed Ferriero that he would field a slate of candidates with the purpose of taking over the Bergen County Democratic Organization, with the coup de grace being Ferriero’s removal as chairman. Ferriero officially came out in support of Lautenberg shortly thereafter on Apr.3.

When Hackensack Chronicle asked Rothman about the supposed conversation after an Apr. 4 press conference in Newark that both the congressman and Lautenberg attended announcing a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) office for New Jersey, he explained the circumstances around Ferriero’s endorsement of Lautenberg.

"Chairman Ferriero issued a written statement indicating that he would not be disturbing the results of the Bergen County Democratic convention," said Rothman, referring to the convention’s vote to support Lautenberg.

"There were many people, including myself, who expressed our view to Chairman Ferriero as to how important it was to New Jersey, as well as to Bergen County in particular, to have such an effective senator who carries so much weight and influence in the Senate continuing to work for us. I told Chairman Ferriero that we can’t retire the best player on the team. I think that he did the right thing."

Andrews speaks up

The April 4 ATF press conference also marked the first public encounter between Lautenberg and Andrews since the South Jersey congressman declared his candidacy. After some confusion as to whether the two men would appear at the same time at the conference, it was later revealed that Lautenberg’s campaign staff had suggested that Andrews should not be at the press conference.

In the hallway outside of the press conference room after the event was over, Andrews explained why he was not present.

"The good work of law enforcement people should not be dragged into politics," he said. "I didn’t want to interfere in the good message being given out. The Senate campaign I hope will be fought at a higher level than who gets invited to whose birthday party. We’re going to try to talk about the real issues in the campaign."

When asked about Lautenberg’s age, Andrews attempted to shift the spotlight away from any number to ideas.

"I would thank God if I could live to be 90-something," he said. "I think that age should not be an issue."

For Andrews, the real issues revolve around a word heard often recently in American political life.

"I think that I’m with the people of the state because I think that they want a change," he said. "The status quo isn’t working. Eighty thousand people lost their jobs last month. We’re stuck in a war in Iraq. Health care is not being fixed… I’m ready to go to work for the people of the state."

In response to a question from Hackensack Chronicle regarding any demographic disadvantage that could hurt the South Jersey candidate versus his North Jersey opponent, Andrews tried to appeal to voters to think beyond a well-known group of five digits.

"I don’t think that people vote their zip code," he said. "I think that people who don’t have health insurance want to hear who has a better plan. I think that people who have a son or daughter in Iraq want to know who is going to bring them home first. I think that people who can’t afford to send their children to Rutgers want to know who can do something about that. We’re not going to run a zip code campaign."

The stage is set

Both Andrews and Lautenberg know that they have a hard road ahead until the primary. The eventual winner will still have to defeat the eventual Republican challenger, with State Senator Joe Pennacchio, college professor Murray Sabrin and Andrew Unanue, a member of the family that runs the Goya food company, vying for the GOP Senate candidate slot.

However, both candidates seemed resolved to fight to the finish, come what way.

"I think it would be a mistake not to have a choice for a change," said Andrews. "I think that the biggest mistake New Jersey could make is not being part of this national movement for change in 2008. Democrats are grown-ups who are capable of having a dispute, then coming back and getting together."

"Is it brass knuckles? No," said Lautenberg in the next room in response to a question about the nature of the campaign. "But it’s not tiddlywinks."