"The process will be open" ~ Kevin O'Toole

At a meeting of GOP county chairs, other party leaders and elected officials to meet and question the GOP gubernatorial candidates, State Senator Kevin O'Toole told Politickernj:

“We heard from all the candidates tonight - how they would run in a primary and how they would run in a general election,” said O’Toole, serving in his first year as chair of the chairmen and as Gilmore’s successor.

“Everyone marvels at the job Chris Christie did as U.S. Attorney - that goes across the board, but what’s important now is that the process be open, and it will be.”

O'Toole is the chair of the county chairmen.

If true, this is very good news for the GOP. A fair and level playing field for candidate selection, on all levels, is essential for party unity.

In the past, county chairs throughout the state have often rigged the selection process for awarding the party line to candidates in primary elections. This inevitably leads to resentment and disunity.

As we move to the convention season, all party chairs should ensure a fair and democratic process that includes all county committee people. The chairs should feel free to endorse their favorites and tell the committees why, but in order to bring the party together when the primary is over, the chairs must ensure that the process is fair and open to all candidates.