Millionaire businesswoman Anne Estabrook's fledgling campaign for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination is off to a good start: her exploratory committee is impressive enough to give her an early edge in the endorsement game as Republicans begin to consider who they want to run against Democrat Frank Lautenberg. Estabrook has the backing of Congressman Mike Ferguson, GOP County Chairs in Monmouth, Union, Camden and Gloucester counties, State Senators Diane Allen and Joe Kyrillos (a former GOP State Chairman), and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin. She also has several top GOP fundraisers on board, including former Port Authority Chairman Lewis Eisenberg and former Sports Authority Vice Chairwoman Candace Straight.
Assemblyman Michael Doherty, one of the state's most conservative legislators, has already announced an exploratory committee headed by Congressman Scott Garrett, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow.
Another possible candidate, Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio, has not announced any endorsements.
