Do You Support Trenton's A.C. Takeover? 
VOTE: Best GOP Operative of Election '09
Matt Rooney | November 10, 2009
Warriors win battles, Save Jerseyans. Elections are no exception to the rule.
There are many dedicated people who helped make Chris Christie's historic victory a reality. The four gentlemen listed below served with particular distinction! I've decided to let our Save Jerseyans vote for which one deserves "Best GOP Operative of Election '09" honors.
Some brief background:
John Raue
Chris Christie was propelled to victory largely because of huge wins in New Jersey's Republican-leaning Shore counties, notably Ocean County (where Chris won by nearly 100,000 votes -- his ultimate statewide margin of victory over Jon Corzine).
John served as the Christie regional political director for Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties, so he deserves a good deal of credit for last Tuesday night's results.
Frank Luna
Our good friend Frank Luna had arguably the biggest job of Election 2009 -- day-to-day management of Chris Christie's ground game in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties. Chris ultimately lost Bergen by a narrow margin, but Corzine's depressed margins in Essex and Hudson effectively sealed the incumbent's doom. Of particular note was the Christie campaign's surprise victory in Passaic County, where a Republican Gubernatorial win also translated into major pick-ups at the county level.
Well done, Lunanator!
Tim Saler
If Frank Luna had the biggest job of any Election '09 operative, then our other good friend Tim Saler had the most difficult job in the entire Garden State. Tim directed the RNC "Victory" program in New Jersey's six southernmost counties - Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem. Anyone familiar with N.J. Republican politics knows that years of Norcross-domination has laid waste to the once-mighty South Jersey Republican Party. Some counties barely have a county-wide operation at all.
Nevertheless, Saler identified the right people, put in some long days and helped Chris carry four of the six counties (save Cumberland where Chris lost narrowly and my native Camden where Chris lost by a closer margin than any statewide Republican candidate since Kean, Sr.). This was no small feat and inarguably critical to last Tuesday's election results.
Vinny Napolitano
Two words: Middlesex County. Republicans just don't win Middlesex County. Vinny did!
Let's compare:
2005
2009
Needwe say more? Vinny is a great guy who instilled a lot of fear (and aton of insecurity) in Democrats on Election Night by helping turn this solidly-Democratic county a beautiful shade of Republican red. Kudos!
Now VOTE!
Warriors win battles, Save Jerseyans. Elections are no exception to the rule.
There are many dedicated people who helped make Chris Christie's historic victory a reality. The four gentlemen listed below served with particular distinction! I've decided to let our Save Jerseyans vote for which one deserves "Best GOP Operative of Election '09" honors.
Some brief background:
John RaueChris Christie was propelled to victory largely because of huge wins in New Jersey's Republican-leaning Shore counties, notably Ocean County (where Chris won by nearly 100,000 votes -- his ultimate statewide margin of victory over Jon Corzine).
John served as the Christie regional political director for Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties, so he deserves a good deal of credit for last Tuesday night's results.
Frank LunaOur good friend Frank Luna had arguably the biggest job of Election 2009 -- day-to-day management of Chris Christie's ground game in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties. Chris ultimately lost Bergen by a narrow margin, but Corzine's depressed margins in Essex and Hudson effectively sealed the incumbent's doom. Of particular note was the Christie campaign's surprise victory in Passaic County, where a Republican Gubernatorial win also translated into major pick-ups at the county level.
Well done, Lunanator!
Tim SalerIf Frank Luna had the biggest job of any Election '09 operative, then our other good friend Tim Saler had the most difficult job in the entire Garden State. Tim directed the RNC "Victory" program in New Jersey's six southernmost counties - Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem. Anyone familiar with N.J. Republican politics knows that years of Norcross-domination has laid waste to the once-mighty South Jersey Republican Party. Some counties barely have a county-wide operation at all.
Nevertheless, Saler identified the right people, put in some long days and helped Chris carry four of the six counties (save Cumberland where Chris lost narrowly and my native Camden where Chris lost by a closer margin than any statewide Republican candidate since Kean, Sr.). This was no small feat and inarguably critical to last Tuesday's election results.
Vinny Napolitano Let's compare:
2005
 | Jon Corzine | Democratic | 107,176 | 56.03% | |
 | Doug Forrester | Republican | 75,021 | 39.22% | |
2009
| Jon Corzine | Democratic | 83,124 | 44.00% | |
| Chris Christie | Republican | 90,048 | 48.00% | |
Needwe say more? Vinny is a great guy who instilled a lot of fear (and aton of insecurity) in Democrats on Election Night by helping turn this solidly-Democratic county a beautiful shade of Republican red. Kudos!
Now VOTE!
Mannnnnnnnnnnn I can't pick one - they all did a good damn job.
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Where is Ron Filan? That young man won Atlantic COunty?
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Ron Filan did win in Atlantic County this yr!! The CRS won Middlesex and statewide good job RU!!!
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Saler had a brutal job to do. The people in Gloucester and Cape May are bat shit crazy. Cumberland and Camden aren't much better. Has anyone heard from Salem in the last 10 years?
Congratulations, Tim! You earned it.
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Why choose? It would be like trying to pick a winner in a matchup of Da Bears versus Da Bulls. We must unite to make sure that such an event never takes place!
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What's Salem County?
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How about the best CRNC field rep category?
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What is a "CRNC field rep" exactly?
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Do you have something against CRNC field reps? They, along with the college students at several of our state universities, played a huge role in this election.
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No... lol. I just don't know what they are?
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great job,Vinny
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When you're done blowing dudes, let me know.
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My vote goes to John Raue. He has shown his dedication since the beginning of Chris Christie's campaign. I know that everyone had a part in this campaign did a wonderful job. You cannot expect someone the receive the honors when they joined the campaign in middle or towards the end. John deserves "Best GOP Operative of Election "09" honors for his dedication from beginning to end.
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Keep fighting the good fight Vinny!!! This Conservative Republican Public School Teacher is proud of you!!! There are a lot more of us out there than you know who don't drink the Kool-Aid. Soooo proud of NJ!!!
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John Raue - An Outstanding Operative in Monmouth County. What an election! What a Win!!! Of course I voted for ya.
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Vinny Napolitano- the backbone and the strength behind all the wins in somerset, hunterdon, warren-- and especially Middlesex--- what a Big win
so great to work with- he too is a winner.
anna
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John Raue! While all should be commended, John has become a fixture here in Monmouth County and a solid reputation. Good Luck John, you've earned this.
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I am very uncomfortable with this poll. All of these fine men deserve to win! We all won under their leadership and devotion. Thank-you to all of them!
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