It’s Been 119 Days Since Testa Challenged Andrzejczak To A Debate And Still No Answer

Michael Testa

Back on June 25th we wrote that it had been 92 days since Republican candidate for state Senate in LD1, Michael Testa challenged temporary state senator Bob Andrzejczak to a debate.

In May we wrote that it had been 60 days since “Mike Testa, sent a letter to Democratic party temporary state Senator Bob Andrzejczak challenging him to a debate “regarding the $4.5 million in school funding cuts foisted upon our district by your Democratic Party leaders in Trenton.”

Both times we offered to create a fair venue for a debate between the two suggesting they debate on the Bob & Steve Show and offering to have two Democrats of Andrzejczak’s choosing co-host with us. I’ve talked with Testa about it, he even filled in for Bob on the show a couple of weeks ago and basically said he would debate Andrzejczak, any place, any time.

Andrzejczak on a debate? 119 days later and still crickets.

Not one word from Andrzejczak on our offer. It’s not like he doesn’t know where the radio station is. He went on another show on the station since Testa issued his challenge. The only word about a debate on that show was the host saying he would debate Testa, which of course had absolutely nothing to do with the two candidates debating.

So, even on an appearance on the radio station our show is heard on Andrzejczak chose not to say one word about Testa’s challenge to a debate.

I don’t necessarily fault the show’s host for not pressing Andrzejczak. When you have a member of the opposite party on your show you do have to be somewhat delicate if you want others to come on eventually. We once had the Senate President on and were very respectful, but we still asked questions we’re sure were uncomfortable for him. That said, I do fault the show’s host for not asking if there will be a debate. It’s a question that could have been asked in a respectful manner.

So, here we are, 119 days since Testa issued his challenge to debate Andrzejczak and there still is no answer.

Our offer still stands. We will happily host a debate, with two members of the Democratic party as co-hosts of Andrzejczak’s choosing. What could be more fair?

Imagine if it were the other way around and a Republican refused to answer a debate challenge from a Democrat. Local media would have a field day with that!

So what is it Mr. Andrzejczak, will there be a debate?

PRESS RELEASE: NJGOP Calls Out Murphy Disingenuous Effort On SALT

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt called out Governor Phil Murphy over the “disingenuous nature” of the state’s lawsuit against the IRS. The chairman’s press release on the matter follows:

Trenton, NJ - Today, Governor Murphy announced that the state of New Jersey would file a lawsuit against the IRS to end the federal cap on SALT deductions.

NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt released the following statement, calling out the disingenuous nature of Governor Murphy's lawsuit:

"When we say we want honest answers to real problems, this lawsuit is exactly what we are NOT talking about. If Phil Murphy really cared about the infamous property tax burden that all New Jersey families carry, he would have addressed it in any of his budgets or through legislation in Trenton. He has raised taxes and increased spending at every turn.

"This lawsuit is a political stunt and another waste of taxpayer money. If we really want to lift the SALT cap, then we need to send representatives to Washington that can actually have a conversation with President Trump. Right now, we have a group of Trump protestors like Tom Malinowski who spend their time trying to impeach the President rather than improve New Jersey.”

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Fitzherbert Introduces Campaign Team In CD2

Brian Fitzherbert

This is one of those weeks where our day jobs have gotten in the way of blogging, so we missed a Monday press release from Brian Fitzherbert’s congressional campaign. The recently announced Republican candidate for congress in CD2 rolled out his campaign team in the press release.

According to the campaign’s press release the Fitzherbert team includes the following:

Much like in his professional career, Fitzherbert has put together a team with national experience and the best in their field. Ethan Zorfas and Evan Kozlow of Axiom Strategies, Brett Loyd of The Polling Company, digital strategists from The Prosper Group and Amanda Woloshen Glass, the former Campaign Manager and State Director for former Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ07), will serve as Fitzherbert’s campaign team.

“The team is in great company with Amanda at the helm along with Axiom Strategies, given the firm has helped elect 78 current Members of Congress” Fitzherbert said.

Amanda is a veteran political strategist and government affairs specialist with an expertise in the areas of campaign management, communications and messaging. She has a successful track record of winning campaigns and successfully building issue-oriented and diverse grassroots coalitions.

The Polling Company is proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s most respected polling and market research consulting firms.

The Prosper Group is a national leader in digital advertising and online fundraising for GOP candidates and have contributed to the digital strategy of more winning campaigns than any other digital-first GOP consulting firm.

That appears to be a pretty solid team, which also means an expensive team, so we assume that means Fitzherbert will post strong fundraising numbers in his first report.

Bob Patterson, who ran in CD1 in 2016, is a candidate in CD2. He raised a little over $200,000 in 2016.

Seth Grossman is rumored to be making another run. According to the FEC he had a little more than $300,000 in total receipts in his effort against Jeff Van Drew.

Another one rumored to be running is realtor John Andrie. We have no idea what his fundraising ability is.

David Richter has an exploratory committee. Much has been said about his ability to self-fund.

The field is taking shape. It should be interesting to see who really gets in (or not) and what kind of teams they assemble.