No shape found in natureCongressman Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) today announced that he will not seek reelection in 2008, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Ferguson, a resident of about 5 or 6 different municipalities (including Bethesda, MD, if his tax filings are to be believed) since carpetbagging his way into an open seat in 2000, barely survived a surprising challenge from Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender last year, retaining his seat by a single percentage point. Stender, who has since announced her intention to mount a second bid, was already pegged by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (D Trip to insidaz) as a top priority after '06's photo-finish; now that the seat is open, it is all but certain that a flood of national money from both sides will swamp the suburban district.
As a veteran of one and a half 7th District races, I am admittedly sad to see Ferguson go; it's like watching Jaws turn tail and swim out for open ocean right before Brody pops a cap in that compressed air tank blowing the shark to chum (a super crapful approximation). Could Stender have bested him in a rematch? Could [NAME REDACTED] have finally ousted the wily incumbent in a fourth consecutive try? Who knows? The question is, now with the seat open, can Stender finish the job? Who will the Republicans nominate to try and hold the GOP-leaning district - Assemblyman Jon Bramnick? Senator Leonard Lance? Newly-minted Senate Minority Leader Thomas H. Kean II? Some guy named Finn Caspersen? Captain Longshot McShortodds?
Well, all I know is that I'm going to New Brunswick tonight to give Congressman Ferguson the type of Irish wake that his sadly brief (sarcasm alert) political career deserves.
