GOP Lands Top-tier Recruit Against Lautenberg

Biotech executive John Crowley is expected to enter the New Jersey Senate race against Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, according to a source familiar with his thinking. It would give Republicans a candidate with a compelling personal narrative who also has deep pockets to self-finance a campaign.

His pending announcement, which could come as soon as this weekend, will set up a high-profile election year in the Garden State, where Lautenberg is already facing a primary challenge from Democratic Rep. Robert Andrews.

But Crowley has the potential to capture as much of the media spotlight as Lautenberg’s newfound primary contest.

Over the past week, Crowley has been courted to run by prominent Republicans, including the party’s presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain. The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Nevada Sen. John Ensign, also called him several times this week to encourage him to run. 

Crowley initially announced he would not be running, but the full-court press of persuasion helped him change his mind.
Continue reading post...