Rally held in New Egypt days before special election
By James McEvoy, Managing Editor
NEW EGYPT – Former Alaskan Republican governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stumped for U.S. Senate candidate Steve Lonegan at a campaign rally Saturday at the New Egypt Raceway.
Gov. Palin and Mr. lonegan appeared before approximately 2,000 supporters at the rally, just days before Mr. Lonegan, the former Republican Bogota mayor, lost to Democratic candidate and Newark mayor Cory Booker in the special Oct. 16 election.
The unusual Wednesday election was decreed by Gov. Chris Christie in July following the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat.
Also speaking at the rally, organized by the Tea Party Express, was conservative radio personality and author Mark Levin.
Addressing the throngs of supporters, Mr. Lonegan pledged to curtail a federal government he characterized has overspending and overstepping its bounds.
"I’m going to go to Washington, D.C. and I’m going to join that group of conservatives to stand up for constitutional rights, limited government," he said. "I want to stand and fight right now so my children don’t have to do it."
Mr. Lonegan then turned his sights on his opponent.
"My opponent in this race, Mayor Booker, was anointed by Hollywood," he said, referring to the support of celebrities including Oprah Winfrey. "California doesn’t need a third senator, New Jersey needs a senator."
He added further that his victory over Mayor Booker would be "the shot heard around the world."
Ms. Palin then took the stage and said she supports Mr. Lonegan, who she called a "solid family man" who New Jersey voters can count on.
"Steve won’t forget where he came from," Ms. Palin said. "He won’t forget what he has accomplished by the sweat of his brow.
"As a small town mayor he cut wasteful spending and reigned in and reduced debt," she added. "He cared. He was there. He listened to the people he worked for."
She said she believes the momentum in the race belongs to Mr. Lonegan and that it is a race that has captured the attention of the country.
Earlier in the event, Plumsted Mayor Dave Leutwyler compared the rally to a similar one held approximately four years ago featuring then-gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie.
"They all said we couldn’t elect a conservative Republican governor in New Jersey," Mayor Leutwyler said. "We proved them wrong four years ago and I believe we can prove them wrong Wednesday, Oct. 16."
While many recent polls still show Mayor Booker maintaining a comfortable lead, many attendees took Ms. Palin’s attendance as a sign of a tight campaign.
"I think (the race) is a lot closer than people think," said John Zazanis, of North Arlington in Bergen County. "The left wants us to think this is a lost cause. I think Mr. Lonegan has a very good chance."
Mr. Zazanis said he wanted to come to the rally and feed off the energy created by the event.
"I just wanted to see the rally here, to see the enthusiasm and the inspiration that’s going to bring this man into the Senate come next week," he said. "He embodies the constitutional values that we hold so dear, that our founding fathers gave to us so many years ago that we seem to be losing now."
Mr. Zazanis was careful to note that enthusiasm can only get you so far.
"The truth will be in the pudding Wednesday when people go to the polls," he said. "From what I’ve seen a lot of people are going to support him and vote for him."
Leonard Gilligan-Wold, of Howell Township, said he supports Mr. Lonegan for being a supporter of small government.
"He’s a guy who stands for what I believe in," Mr. Gilligan-Wold said. "I think he’s got a good shot."
There are six other names on the ballot, all independents who filed by petition. They are Robert DePasquale (American Citizens First), Stuart David Meissner (Alimony Reform Now), Eugene Martin Lavergne (D-R Party), Edward C. Stackhouse, Jr. (Ed the Barber), Antonio Nico Sabas (Freedom of Choice) and Pablo Olivera (Unity is Strength).