CD2 frontrunners David Richter and Brian Fitzherbert at a Salem County event

Last week I wrote that “a CD2 primary could be fun to watch” and with about 42 weeks until primary election day 2020 this week is starting out “fun to watch.”

I wasn’t planning on writing about CD2 this morning but, early this morning, before I had my first cup of coffee, the campaign of announced CD2 candidate Brian Fitzherbert sent a press release announcing the endorsement of former Cumberland County Freeholder and State Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi. According to the release:

“As many in South Jersey know, Brian and I were competitors in the last election for Congress. Over the campaign, we struck up a friendship and I have to say how lucky we are as Republicans to have Brian in the party. He has the conservative ideals, the intelligence, the will, and the energy to win this race,” Fiocchi said.

Fiocchi continued, “There will not be anyone more relentless than Brian in this race. I’m thrilled he is running. Jeff Van Drew was a do-nothing Legislator in Trenton and he’s a do-nothing Congressman in Washington D.C. If there was ever a Republican candidate to defeat Jeff Van Drew, Brian is it. I’m pleased to endorse Brian Fitzherbert for Congress.”

Also, early this morning. One of our favorites (even if he is on another radio station), Harry Hurley broke the news that, “As early as today, Monday, August 12, 2019, but, most likely tomorrow” exploring CD2 candidate David Richter will make it official:

Hurley’s Facebook post is lengthy. Visit his official Facebook Page to read the complete post.

The Richter news falls in line with an off-the-record conversation I had last week in which I was told Richter would likely make it official within a week. Kudos Harry on getting to break the news on-the-record.

The real fun in the Richter news was that last year’s nominee and potential 2020 CD2 candidate Seth Grossman took a swipe at Richter. Richter, much to my surprise, turned out to be a good counter-puncher:

Admittedly, I didn’t think Richter had it in him. Turns out nice guys can fight back and make me laugh in the process.

I also had the opportunity to speak with the other announced candidate in CD2, Robert “Bob” Patterson. I explained to him the Bob & Steve Show has been getting a lot of emails since the New Jersey Globe piece about his “Semen-Exposed” thoughts. Patterson said he had no comment, offered to have me talk to his media person, someone with ColdSpark Media, he said they were the best, I told him I’m the best (I simply couldn’t pass up that opportunity), and then he informed me that David Wildstein at the New Jersey Globe is a “gossip columnist.” Naturally, I explained that Wildstein does news and we do much more gossip with a little bit of news thrown in. The conversation pretty much ended there.

“Semen-Exposed” thoughts aside, we do know, given the fact Patterson has professional help, he is serious about making his run.

So that’s it, a fairly exciting first day of the week in the CD2 2020 Republican primary. It’s definitely going to be fun to watch.

Note: While Bob has endorsed Brian Fitzherbert for next year’s CD2 primary, Steve is completely neutral and making no endorsement

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt called on Governor Phil Murphy to refund shore rental tax money. His press release on the issue follows:

Trenton, NJ - Governor Murphy has announced that he will be eliminating the shore rental tax going forward. The Governor has admitted that the tax was an unnecessary burden and many people say that mom and pop rentals were inadvertently taxed.

The NJGOP has been repeatedly calling for the end of the shore rental tax .

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement:

"Governor Murphy has admitted he made a mistake, but now it's time to rectify that mistake. He must refund the money to the mom and pops who were forced to pay his shore rental tax this summer. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume it was intentional, and another democratic money grab no different than when Murphy tried to steal $33M from the firemen’s burial and hardship fund. Here’s the Governor’s chance to put his money where his mouth is, or better yet, back in the wallets of the moms and pops he took it from.”