March 27, 2007 - 1:33pm
News

Van Drew “seriously considering� run for State Senate

By MAX PIZARRO
PoliticsNJ.com

Democrats say a recent poll they conducted gives Democratic Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew the edge in a head-to-head with State Sen. Nicholas Asselta in the 1st district, which serves all of Cape May and parts of Atlantic and Cumberland counties.

Based on the poll --  which Democrats say gives Van Drew a 16-point advantage --  the three-term Assemblyman on Tuesday said only that he is “seriously considering� a Senate bid against Asselta.

The district leans Republican, and Van Drew would need funding commitments from state Democrats to make the race --  but he suggests the polling gives the party a reason to take notice.

Asselta, running for his second term in the Senate after nine years in the Assembly, says he’s an old athlete. “Whoever they line up, will be the opponent,� he told PoliticsNJ.com.   

He says has not run any poll numbers on a match-up with potential candidates. “Why would I want to spend my time on a poll?� said Asselta. “Right now, there’s no confrontation.�

But there may be one before the April filing deadline -- perhaps with Van Drew.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

Related topics: Van Drew, Asselta

Comments

South has changed


With Sweeney along the river, and Whelan along the ocean the Democrats have achieved a classic " pincer " move.Only the First District Senate seat stands in the way of a " solid south" that would have A LOT of influence on State wide political decisions. Only Nick Asselta is currently in the way and that is unfortunate because you will not find a better friend or loyal allie. Loyal supporters of both Van Drew and Asselta , and in many cases they are the same people, DO NOT WANT TO MAKE THIS CHOICE. The momentum is on the Democrats side. It clearly appears that the next move must be Asselta's. Will he roll the dice to be the " last Republican standing" in South Jersey with the reward being again stuck in the minority party, having little or no influence in State affairs. Or will he jump ship, become a Democrat and then throw his support behind Van Drew for a race against LoBiondo? Sometimes in life the choices are between bad or worse.

03/27/07 3:02 pm

Mr. Popular


16 points? wow, I can't believe Van Drew has never given a run at Senate or preferably Congress....what's he waiting for??

03/27/07 3:19 pm

Run Asselta Run


With numbers like that and the funding on team Van Drew, Asselta should go find something else to occupy his time. With Van Drew's work ethic he will out campaign him too. Get out while you can Nick!

03/27/07 5:55 pm

Clueless


Oh Yea!

Lets make the south just like the north - A sewer pit of corruption even more than it already is. 

And for the "pincer" comment and what it represents it is what it is but then again you probably don't get it.  I expect that from their supporters.

03/28/07 9:51 pm