Former Freeholder Bill Barham and Monmouth County GOP Vice Chair Diane Gooch are separately considering a challenge to Congressman Frank Pallone in the 6th Congressional District of New Jersey.
Barham, from Monmouth Beach, told MoreMonmouthMusings that he "is not there yet," but is actively exploring a run. He said, "I would love to go to Washington and drive Nancy Pelosi crazy."
Gooch is the publisher of The Two River Times. She is a resident of Rumson, which is in the 12th congressional district. Residency in a district is not a requirement to seek a congressional seat.
Assemblyman Sam Thompson introduced Gooch as a candidate against Pallone at the Middlesex Republican Holiday Party last week, before being corrected by Middlesex GOP Chair Joe Leo who said she was still exploring her options.
Gooch told MoreMonmouthMusings, "It is true that I am exploring a variety of political topics as I consider the failure of the Democrats in Congress to represent New Jersey. I will be making decisions about the future very soon."
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Gooch. Love it.
Barham. Not so much.
Pallone doesn't really live in the district, so why should Gooch have to. He's in Washington with his family. His wife works at the EPA and his kids go to school there.
Gooch.....yes!
Barham?
Do we forget why he is not on the Bd of Freeholders any more?
Old School politician who tried to destroy a true reformer. Give me a break.
Gooch? Who? Never heard of'em before. Living in the district may not be a requirement but you can not tell me it does not make a difference.
We want a real reformer who is a social conservative.
The Tea Party needs to recrit Anna Little to run for Congress and the conservatives in the party need to get behind her. She is Sarah Palin with a high IQ.
And now Mary Pat Angelini is also interested!
Gooch's husband sure does give a lot of money to Democratic candidates.
Anna Little, Like Bellew who failed in 2005 may have the right conservative credentials; but she is NOT Congressional Candidate material.
You need someone with deep pockets & money raising capability(Like Gooch who unfortuantely has no experience or name recognition) and a serious committment, without the whinyness that Bellew posseses or the prima donna attitude problems that Little has.
ok, Mac, following your logic, this just leaves Oxley,if you want experience, and Barham, if he'll part with the money!!!
What I am saying, is that we want a QUALIFIED candidate if we are seriously going to challenge Pallone.
Though I disagree with some of Angeline's positions, she is qualified and much more to the right than the Progressive Pallone. I could go with Barham as well.
Gooch has no qualifications and Oxley is a political hack.
Neither Bellew or Little are qualfied by the fact that they can NOT raise the kind of $ needed and Bellew has not held any elected office that I'm aware of. Both Little & Bellew have attitude problems that get in the way of competing all out and "working well with others in the sandbox."
We don't need lack of experience, money problems, experience problems and attitude problems.
WE NEED SOMEONE THAT CAN WIN
Barham has been in hiding for a while, but not long enough for a reputation transplant to take hold. Has anyone forgotten that he led the destruction of the GOP control of the Freeholder Board. Even his buddy Carton is running away from him. Barham was hand picked by Harry Larrison, confirmed long time crooked freeholder to replace himself before being indicted. He has more skeletons then most that made a fortune getting government contracts from friends and family politicians.
Pallone and the APP would tear him up.
"Barham was hand picked by Harry Larrison, confirmed long time crooked freeholder to replace himself before being indicted. He has more skeletons then most that made a fortune getting government contracts from friends and family politicians.
Pallone and the APP would tear him up."
Exactly right. Will someone tell me why Jen Beck is not running against Pallone? She is viable, though I do not agree with a lot of her views. But it should be all about winning....
Jen Beck has the energy and appeal, and most importantly is not tainted with a reputation that would re-generate huge negatives like Barham.
Declan O'Scanlon is another opportunity for success. He also has the energy to win at "wack-a-mole" with Pallone.
Hey Anonymous,
You make statements about Barham that are inaccurate and plain wrong.Barham was the only thing that held Freehold and this county together during the days of Big Rig. His relationship with Little was not good, however even Little noted he did nothing wrong. Proof of this is in the public Freeholders meetings minutes where Little finally had to acknowledge that Barham did nothing wrong (5-24-07 meeting page 151 regular meeting), and by the way all the other Freeholders stated this long before Little.
I hope you do ot believe the AP and Jordan's falsehoods.
Say what you want but Barham is still one of the most respected Freeholders by his Freeholder collegues on both sides of the aisle, by the staff, and employees.
Barham has a no nonsense approach and is a tough businessmen and that is just what DC needs. No other candidate in the district can match his business skills or ability to get the job done-- NONE.
The last comment must be from someone on the Barham/Larrrison "Friends and Family" plan. These are the group that gets the favors and the back room deals. The simple truth is that Barham believes in politics more then public service. I've seen him try to destroy people because their opinion is different. I've seen him lie to the public.
None of this matters because he is not a viable candidate. He can buy/bully his way into small time politics, but doesn't garner the repect needed to motivate people he can't buy. I understand that in his home town, Monmouth Beach, the politicians he endorses consistently loose elections. When he ran, he couldn't even get enough support to get himself the mayor position.
Barham is not a contender.
This is funny. The few words of support for Barham come from someone that has the old Freeholder meeting minutes at their fingertips and can cite a quote, probably out of context.
The only question remaining, is it Billy, or one of Billy's minions doing his bidding again.
Angelini - Absolutely!
Barham - Probably not.
Gooch - Ridiculous!
Barham has too many issues with special favors for business partners while a freeholder. The cheap attempt to hide that will unravel if Pallone gets a go at him. Last thing the GOP needs is to have to defend itself against ethics issues.
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