NJ-11, NJ-07: After complaining bitterly throughout her congressional campaign about "career politicians," tax attorney Rosemary Becchi has gone ahead and done exactly what those establishment pols wanted all along: She's dropped her bid for New Jersey's 7th District and instead decided to run in the adjoining 11th.
Becchi made the switch because GOP powerbrokers had lined up behind state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. as their preferred choice to take on freshman Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski in the 7th, a traditionally Republican seat that covers a swath of what Gov. Phil Murphy insists is "Central Jersey." Kean, the son of former Gov. Tom Kean Sr., had already compiled a significant financial advantage, and his institutional dominance made him the heavy favorite for his party's nomination.
So instead of a likely loss in the primary, Becchi's traded that in for a likely loss in the general. The 11th, centered around Morris County (in what is definitively North Jersey) is now represented by another freshman Democrat, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who crushed her Republican opponent 57-42 last year and is one of the strongest fundraisers in the Democratic Party. Republicans actually gave up on saving the seat in 2018 after longtime Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen retired—their major spending arms didn't shell out a farthing—and they hadn't managed to land a credible candidate this year to challenge Sherrill.
Becchi at least gives them that, and in fine establishment fashion, the field's already been cleared for her. Not only did Kean immediately endorse her, but former Kinnelon Councilman Larry Casha dropped out and gave Becchi his backing as well. In addition, state Sen. Joseph Pennachio, who hadn't previously ruled out a bid, praised Becchi's move and said he'd endorse her if asked.
Most importantly of all, the GOP chairs of all four counties in the district lined up behind Becchi, too, guaranteeing her favorable ballot placement in the primary. With the Republican nominations in both the 7th and 11th now effectively sewn up, we're moving them from our Primaries to Watch spreadsheet on to a second tab called "Off the list." Bookmark this continually updated document today to stay on top of every important Senate, House, and gubernatorial primary.