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Democrats raising cash against Ferguson National figures boost foe of 7th District House memberBy LEDYARD KING, Home News Tribune (NJ) from the Web, April 19, 2004 WASHINGTON -- Some prominent Democrats are helping businessman Steven Brozak in his underdog quest to knock off Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-7th Dist., in the Nov. 2 election. Former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., contributed to Brozak's campaign in March, signaling the national interest in the race. Brozak, a first-time candidate, raised nearly $143,000 during the first three months of the year. Still, that's less than half of what Ferguson raised over the same period: $321,000. The race for the seat representing parts of Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon counties is expected to offer the most drama in New Jersey in a year when all the state's 13 House incumbents are expected to win re-election, according to political handicappers. Democrats think Ferguson is vulnerable because he votes with the Bush administration more than any other New Jersey House member and had to pay a record penalty last year for violating federal election law in his 2000 race. The only other potentially competitive race is the neighboring 12th Congressional District where Rep. Rush Holt, D-12th Dist., is seeking a fourth term. He is being challenged by Mercer County Republican Bill Spadea, a real-estate executive who is also making his first run for elective office. Holt outraised Spadea $105,000 to $56,000 in the first quarter. Holt has $432,000 in his campaign account, nearly eight times more than his challenger, records show. Only 35 of the 435 House seats up for election this year are seen as competitive, none of which is in New Jersey, according to The Cook Political Report, an independent analysis. Republicans control the House with 228 seats compared with the Democrats' 205. There is one independent and one vacancy. Campaign fund-raising reports filed this week for New Jersey candidates testify to the power of incumbency. Those in office collectively raised more than $1.8 million during the first three months of this year. Challengers collected less than $300,000 as a group, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Those totals don't include paper reports not yet available from candidates who may have raised or spent more than $5,000 but less than $50,000 in the first quarter. Still, Democrats are intrigued enough about Brozak's chances that they are contributing to his campaign. "He's a very qualified candidate and a great fit for the district," Pelosi spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said Friday. Pelosi gave Brozak $2,000 in March. Other contributors include Bradley ($500) and committees controlled by Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., ($2,500) and Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn. ($500). Brozak also received $1,000 each from Holt and Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-8th Dist. "The only way I embarked on this race was with the full understanding this was going to be a national race," Brozak said. Ferguson spokesman Chris Jones said he wasn't worried that Pelosi and others would help Brozak. "The national Democrats and the liberal members of Congress supported Ferguson's opponent (Democrat Tim Carden) two years ago, and Ferguson won by nearly 20 points," Jones said.
© 2004 Gannett New Jersey Group |
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