GOP wants Runyan to tackle Adler for Congress

Burlington County Republicans are wooing former Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan to take out U.S. Rep. John Adler, the first Democrat in memory to win the House district that cuts through the Republican heartlands of Burlington and Ocean Counties.

And, in a statement released yesterday by Burlington County's favorite political consultant, Runyan said he was "seriously considering" the idea.

The use of Chris Russell, who has run numerous campaigns for the county party, to deliver his message is a sign that Runyan already has made inroads with the party organization.

Runyan, who was injured last year, recently met with the Eagles and other NFL organizations about playing again. But Burlington Republicans believe they can persuade the 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman to join their team instead. They hope to make an announcement soon, according to party officials involved in the talks.

Runyan did not return a call for comment yesterday.

Runyan, 36, lives in a sprawling home in Mount Laurel and has been involved in charities in the fields of leukemia, dyslexia, and Alzheimer's disease. He memorably starred in McDonald's ads that featured the "chest-bump-worthy" gift of a large coffee.

His venture into politics would be new turf for Runyan, but not for Burlington County Republicans who persuaded former Flyer Brian Propp to run, unsuccessfully, for the Assembly in 2007.

Republicans hope to reclaim Adler's seat next year. They lost it, in part, because the Ocean and Burlington County Republican Committees went to war in the 2008 primary. Burlington County's James Saxton had held the seat for 24 years, and Ocean County felt it was its turn to have a native run for it.

The Burlington County candidate, Chris Myers of Medford, won the expensive primary but could not overcome Adler's money or the wave of support created by presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Adler proved to be a tireless campaigner who used his early start in the race to raise funds and campaign at Veterans of Foreign Wars halls, senior-citizen centers, and county fairs.

Both Republican chairmen, Bill Layton of Burlington and George Gilmore of Ocean, said yesterday that they didn't want a primary this time. But Gilmore said he had yet to meet Runyan.

"Ocean County's significant Republican vote was demonstrated in the gubernatorial election," he noted. Gov.-elect Christopher J. Christie's big victory margins in Ocean and Monmouth Counties helped him sweep the deep-blue state, which hadn't handed victory to a Republican in a dozen years.

"Now that the gubernatorial election is over, it's time to start focusing on races for next year. We'll be looking for potential candidates," Gilmore said. "If Mr. Runyan has an interest, I would hope he would contact the organization and set up a meeting."

The district also includes Cherry Hill in Camden County.

Runyan is a University of Michigan graduate who went to high school in Flint, Mich. He played four seasons for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Oilers/Titans before the Eagles signed him in 2000. He is considered an iron man, having started 192 straight regular-season NFL games.

He met his wife, Loretta, a former Houston police officer, while playing for the Oilers. They have three children, including a son, Jon Jr., who plays flag football in Moorestown and is coached by his father.

Runyan injured his right knee last November but continued to play into the postseason. His contract was not renewed, however. He was cleared by his doctor to play in August and tried out for the Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills.

Though lacking Runyan's height and weight, Adler is a tough campaigner and fund-raiser. In the 2008 race, he raised $2.8 million to Myers' $1.2 million and had substantial help from national Democrats who targeted the seat. He already has more than $1 million on hand, according to federal campaign records.