Talk of alleged fake candidate holds attention in Third Congressional District

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The tale of the supposed fake tea party candidate in New Jersey's closest congressional race just won't go away.

At a meeting with The Inquirer editorial board Wednesday, Democratic Rep. John Adler again denied any role in recruiting a so-called sham candidate to siphon votes from Jon Runyan, his Republican opponent in the Third District.

The State Republican Committee filed a complaint with federal election authorities Tuesday alleging that the freshman representative and his supporters propped up Peter DeStefano, who is running as an independent candidate under the NJ Tea Party label.

The Republican Party and advisers for the former Eagles offensive lineman have said Adler's campaign and an operative for the Camden County Democratic Committee recruited DeStefano.

Adler and Runyan appeared together at the editorial board meeting.

When he learned of the Republicans' allegations in newspapers, Adler told the board, "I went to my people and asked if they were involved. They said no, and I made sure. I asked again and said, 'If you're doing anything, stop it.' "

Adler said he had no direct knowledge that his campaign or supporters had propped up DeStefano.

Runyan, who has the endorsement of the West Jersey and Independence Hall tea party groups, said he wasn't buying Adler's denials.

"This isn't right. This is wrong," he told Adler at the meeting. "Your people are involved in this, and you know they are."

Polls have indicated that their race in the Third District, which includes Cherry Hill in Camden County and runs through Burlington and Ocean Counties, is the closest House race in New Jersey.

According to documents filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission, the state GOP has asked the agency to investigate whether Adler and the Camden County Democrats made unreported financial and "in-kind" contributions to DeStefano.

Such allegations typically take months to be investigated - if the FEC agrees to look into them. If wrongdoing is found, the fines usually are minimal.

DeStefano did not return a call for comment Wednesday. He has said previously that he has not worked with Adler or his supporters.

Since August, DeStefano has refused to produce the individuals who circulated his nominating petitions. At the heart of the controversy is Runyan's assertion that Adler's people helped distribute them.

After trying unsuccessfully to disqualify many of the signatures, Runyan's campaign noted that a handful of those who signed were associated with Adler.

Neither Adler campaign manager Geoff Mackler nor Camden County Democratic operative Steve Ayscue, named in the Republicans' complaint as alleged coconspirators, returned calls for comment Wednesday.

Analysts say that in a year of growing clout for tea party groups, a candidate on the ballot under "NJ Tea Party" could take votes from Runyan.

Republicans suggest that as long as Adler's supporters fail to adequately address the allegations, however, doubt is cast on Adler's candidacy.