Rob Andrews' wife to run for his U.S. House seat

Camille S. Andrews, wife of U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, filed petitions yesterday to replace her husband in the House, a stunning development in an increasingly lively New Jersey primary season.

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews announced last week he would run in the June 3 Democratic primary against U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, setting off a heated battle as both brass-knuckled support from party leaders around the state.

Because South Jersey Democratic organizations couldn't pick a winner from the more than two-dozen candidates interested in replacing Rob Andrews, they agreed to run Camille Andrews.

Initially, Democrats said she would be a placeholder, waiting until leaders from the district's three counties - Camden, Burlington and Gloucester - decide on a single candidate. But by late yesterday, a source close to her said she was genuinely interested in the seat and would run a robust campaign.

In a brief interview, Rob Andrews said yesterday he would not run again for his House seat, considered one of the safest Democratic seats in the nation.

"I'm running to win the Senate race," he said. "Win or lose, I'm not running for Congress. I'm going to be a senator next year, God and the voters willing."

The entry of his wife into the congressional race while he is running for the Senate set off a wave of criticism, with some analysts questioning his commitment to the Senate race and others wondering how voters would feel about being asked to vote for two Andrewses on June 3.

Camille Andrews declined to comment yesterday. She is of counsel to the powerful law firm Dilworth Paxson, an associate dean at Rutgers University's law school in Camden, and works for an investment firm in Bala Cynwyd. The couple, who live in Haddon Heights, have two teenage daughters.

While this is Camille Andrews' first run for public office, she is considered to be her husband's leading political adviser and a sharp attorney specializing in complex litigation.

National Democrats are keeping a safe distance from this one, with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.), who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, saying: "Our plan in that open seat is to allow New Jersey Democrats to decide how they want to proceed and whoever becomes the nominee, we will support."

Gov. Corzine had little to say about the race, having first heard about Camille Andrews' candidacy when a reporter asked his opinion.

He first responded with surprise saying, "Excuse me?"

After regrouping, he said, "I know Mrs. Andrews is a very able person in her professional life. I just don't have any comment on it. This is the first I've heard of it."

If both Andrewses win their respective races, they could serve in Congress concurrently - a rare, but not unheard of situation.

California Republican Rep. Mary Bono, widow of the pop star and congressman Sonny Bono, is married to Rep. Connie Mack IV (R., Fla.) the great-grandson of legendary Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack.

Camille Andrews' entry into the House race gave Andrews' opponents an opening for criticism yesterday.

"This doesn't pass the smell test - at all," said Lautenberg's campaign manager Brendan Gill. "Like much of the Andrews campaign so far, this latest maneuver demonstrates the old-school politics that the voters of New Jersey are sick and tired of."

Andrews spokesman Bill Caruso responded in a statement: "The last time I checked, Senator Lautenberg was running against Congressman Andrews, not his wife."

Rick DiMichele, Camden County GOP chairman, called her candidacy "a fraud on voters in the Democratic primary," if she is a placeholder for someone to be named at a future date.

"There's no shortage of able-bodied candidates and people who want that position and are willing to run," he said. "Instead, they seem to be placating the Democratic parties in Camden and Gloucester and Burlington to keep peace and harmony among the numerous people who want that position."

Republicans have endorsed Dale Glading, 48, of Barrington, who is a prison minister.

Joining Camille Andrews, 48, in the Democratic field are David G. Evans, of Sicklerville, and Mahdi Ibn-Ziyad, of Camden. But only Camille Andrews has the support of the three county chairs, which means more money and organizational strength than the other Democrats.

Having two Andrewses on the ballot could be confusing to voters, said political scientist Joe Marbach, of Seton Hall University.

They "might react negatively wondering if [Andrews] is hedging his bet," he said. However, Marbach noted that voters may feel they want an Andrews representing them in Congress.

Age: 48

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Pittsburgh; Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

Experience: Has never sought elected office.

Professional: Associate dean, Rutgers University's law school; of counsel to Dilworth Paxson; works for a Bala Cynwyd-based investment firm.

Family: Married to U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews; they have two daughters and live in Haddon Heights.

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