The Hurley Line: The Latest in the Race for the House of Representatives in District 2

The Hurley Line: The Latest in the Race for
the House of Representatives in District 2

By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist

On the Democratic side, there’s no competitive challenger for State Senator Jeff Van Drew, D-1 at this time. Van Drew has received the endorsements of all County Chairman in the race to replace retiring United States Congressman Frank LoBiondo, R-2.

Van Drew also has the unconditional support of Political “King Maker,” George Norcross, III, the most powerful non-elected political potentate in the entire state of New Jersey.

The simple truth is, the candidate who has Norcross’ focused, unbridled support almost always wins. Van Drew is really sitting pretty to fill this seat.

However, that’s why “they” play the games. It’s not a coronation, it’s a contest. On the Republican side, no major marquee names have been willing to step-up and make the run. In a “Hurley in the Morning” exclusive on Thursday, February 1, 2018 … former New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Polistina confirmed to me that he will not be seeking the seat. He was the Republicans best chance to keep the seat held by LoBiondo for nearly a quarter-of-a-century.

The Republican with the most momentum at this time is not even an officially declared candidate. Highly regarded local criminal defense attorney John Zarych has established an exploratory Committee. He’s met in Washington, D.C. with the National Republican Congressional Committee. He is a very serious man, who is quite serious about making this run.

Zarych is a somewhat unlikely warrior. He’s cut his substantial political/electoral bonafides on the campaign trail with the Presidential campaign of United States Senator John McCain, who ran in 2000 and became the Republican Nominee in 2008.

Zarych has also worked on New Jersey Gubernatorial campaigns and other state, county and local campaigns. Zarych has usually been the guy working quietly on the inside; not the person with his name on the ballot on the outside.

Zarych broke the news of his exploratory effort on “Hurley in the Morning,” whereby he also stated that he is “very likely going to enter the race.” Zarych may be in the process of catching lightning in a bottle.

He understands the significance of having to be capable of raising the $ 3 million-plus that will be required to be competitive against Van Drew. Other then Zarych, there’s no evidence that any of the current crop of remaining Republicans has the ability to raise campaign dollars.

As of now, Zarych is the one receiving the most buzz.

Another potential candidate, who also has not officially declared his candidacy is Seth Grossman, the most well known of all of the potential challengers.

Grossman is a semi-retired attorney, who is a former Atlantic City Councilman and Atlantic County Freeholder. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Liberty and Prosperity, a not-for-profit organization that has aggressively sought to provide important public information about the processes of government within the state of New Jersey. The name of this organization is the very slogan of the state of New Jersey; these words appear with Lady Liberty on the New Jersey state flag.

Though almost all of the other candidates are relatively unknown, the list of other officially declared Republicans seeking the Nomination is an impressive one.

Robert Turkavage was employed for 31 1/2 years, as a Supervisory Special FBI Agent in both the public corruption and fraud sections.

Turkavage is an elegant, experienced individual. In both the spoken and written word, I communicate often about the “Hurley Likeability Quotient.” Turrkavage has extra heaping helpings of likeability.

I’ve been busy conducting one-hour, long-form on-air interviews with all of the Republican candidates. What became readily apparent to me early on, is how decent and high quality in nature all of the Republican candidates are.

For example, Somers Point City Councilman James Toto. His cup of likeability quotient runneth over. Despite how long he’s been on the political/electoral scene, we had never met or spoken until our live (in-studio) interview Thursday, February 1, 2018.

Toto has a very interesting and diverse background. In another “Hurley in the Morning” exclusive, Toto officially announced his candidacy on our talk radio program. He is a disabled veteran, who served in the United States Army in psychological operations within Special Operations Command.

He is also a former United States Federal Air Marshall and pilot. Toto is largely responsible for the current atmosphere, whereby there has been an unprecedented level of respect being shown by all of the candidates to one another.

Brian Fitzherbert is a newcomer to the electoral scene. He is employed by Textron, asa senior project manager. Textron is a multinational manufacturing company, ranked # 200 on the Fortune 500 list. Textron is known for products built by Bell Helicopter; E-Z GO, Cesna, Hawker Beechcraft.

He has traveled and lived around the country, serving in positions of increasing responsibility.

Fitzherbert holds a Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins University in Technical Management. He is thoroughly investigated and holds a top secret security clearance, having been vetted by the FBI.

Fitzherbert also officially declared his candidacy on “Hurley in the Morning,” on January 24, 2018.

Although most of the Republican candidates are relatively unknown, this is one of the most decent bumper crops of very good people that I have seen in my nearly three decades as a member of the New Jersey Metro market media.

It’s still advantage Van Drew, however, a well regarded Republican will emerge. From the iconic letter and movie: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! … Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.”

I drew this inspiration from an amazing editorial written by the New York Sun in 1897; which responded to 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon’s letter.

In other words, there will be a race of the 2nd District Congressional seat this year. And, this could very well be the race that decides which major political party will control the House of Representatives.