WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan, a Republican whose pending retirement has set off a heated GOP primary in South Jersey, endorsed Tom MacArthur as his replacement Tuesday.
As Runyan praised the former Randolph mayor, he warned that MacArthur's primary opponent, Steve Lonegan, could cost Republicans the seat if the outspoken conservative wins the nomination.
"Tom was a strong conservative as a Mayor, and his track record of building a business, creating jobs and understanding how to grow the economy is tremendously impressive," Runyan said in a statement released by the MacArthur campaign. "I strongly believe that if Steve Lonegan is our nominee, Republicans will lose this seat in November."
Lonegan's campaign fired back by citing lawsuits filed against the insurance firm MacArthur formerly led.
The GOP has dominated the district for decades, with one exception - 2008. But the moderate district is closely divided, and President Obama won it twice, giving hope to Democrats and worrying some local Republicans that Lonegan's message could be too strident to win.
Runyan, echoing the MacArthur campaign, criticized Lonegan for opposing a more than $50 billion federal relief bill after Superstorm Sandy, which hammered the district in both Ocean and Burlington counties.
"It would defy logic and common sense to have someone representing Burlington and Ocean Counties in Congress who opposes federal aid for Hurricane Sandy victims," Runyan said.
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A Lonegan spokesman reiterated the candidate's argument that the Sandy bill was larded with needless spending.
"Frankly it defies logic and common sense that anyone would vote to support a bloated, wasteful bill (it directed $150 million to Alaskan fisheries) that was an insult to New Jersey families and conservatives across the country," e-mailed Lonegan spokesman Tim Kelly. "But what truly defies good sense is how anyone would support a candidate running for congress who has been sued dozens of times for withholding and slashing the rightful claims of victims of natural disasters like Sandy."
A Lonegan supporter pointed out on Twitter that Runyan just last year endorsed Lonegan in a Senate race against Cory Booker.
Of course, Lonegan was the only established Republican running in that race and the party, from Gov. Christie down, got behind him.
National Democrats are supporting Burlington County freeholder Aimee Belgard in their race. She faces a primary from attorney Howard Kleinhendler.
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