Gilmore keeps his options open

Although three Ocean County state Senators had already thrown their support behind state Sen. Joe Pennacchio prior to Anne Evans Estabrook’s departure from the U.S. Senate race, the county’s Republican chairman, George Gilmore, has not yet committed to a candidate.

“We’re going to wait for the smoke to clear, see who the potential viable candidates are, then have our screening process,” said Gilmore.

The county committee will hold its nominating convention on March 27th. 

Estabrook’s departure from the Senate race could present an opportunity for the powerful Ocean County Republican Organization to run one of its own for the seat.

Ocean County has never had a Congressman or Senator who called it home.  The organization is already running Freeholder Jack Kelly in the third congressional district primary against Burlington County’s Chris Myers.  Running a Senate candidate would increase the county’s chance at putting one of its own in Washington. 

“We have several well qualified individuals in Ocean County who, if they had the desire, could run and receive not only Ocean’s support but support elsewhere for a U.S. Senate nomination,” said Gilmore.  However having said that I would tell you that we have a process in Ocean County…  There are a lot of rumors out there about individuals that might jump into the senate race.” 

Freeholder Joe Vicari was, in effect, the runner up for the county’s endorsement for Congress, and could make a suitable senate candidate.  But Gilmore said that he talked to Vicari about it, and he’s not interested. 

“(Vicari) is running for reelection for freeholder.  If it wasn’t for the fact that the was doing that he might run statewide,” said Gilmore. 

Gilmore also brought up the names of two Ocean County state Senators, Bob Singer and Andrew Ciesla.  But, he said, neither had expressed any interest in running for Senate.  Moreover, both endorsed Pennacchio last week.