NJ Ledger Reports: The field seems to be clearing for state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) to run for U.S. Senate next year.
The Auditor expects him to announce his candidacy shortly after Christmas.
Tim Smith, a former Roxbury councilman who had been thinking about trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, has decided not to run. In a statement given to The Auditor, Smith acknowledged his decision was partly based on the prospect of facing off against Kyrillos in a Republican primary.
Smith said he had talked with Kyrillos “and learned that he is also very seriously considering running.” And he said the money spent in a primary “ultimately reduces the funds available to defeat Sen. Menendez.”
What’s more, The Auditor has learned the man considered Kyrillos’ biggest threat, state Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren), is also unlikely to run. With Republicans coalescing around Kyrillos, who’s close to Chris Christie, Doherty isn’t eager to buck the party.
The Auditor is told Doherty thinks running would deter him from promoting his proposed school financing formula. Reached by phone, Doherty said, “I don’t have anything to tell you,” adding, “Let’s see who’s in the field.”
For now, a tea party favorite, Anna Little, appears to be leaning toward a run, but she also has her eyes on Congress. She has set up a “Little for Senate” website, although she hasn’t declared her candidacy. “We’re thinking about looking at the redistricting maps before we do it,” she said.
