Anne Estabrook's U.S. Senate Exploratory Committee includes someone from the heart of Joe Pennacchio's political base: Carol Murphy, who lives in Pennacchio's hometown. It was Murphy's resignation from the State Assembly in 2001 (to become a Board of Public Utilities Commissioner) that opened the door for Pennacchio, then a Morris County Freeholder, to run for the Assembly.
Also on Estabrook's exploratory committee: Betty Lou DeCroce, the wife of Pennacchio's 26th district running mate, Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce.
Also on Estabrook's campaign team are two Republicans who serve with Pennacchio in the Assembly — and perhaps with him next year in the Senate: Sean Kean and Jennifer Beck, who come from Estabrook's home county, Monmouth. Like Pennacchio, Kean and Beck are both State Candidates this year.
Support from Kean and Beck come just as Pennacchio has agreed to serve on a host committee to raise money for their Senate campaigns.
Another interesting move was the inclusion of Assembly Minority Conference Leader Peter Biondi on the list of Estabrook backers. Biondi is the #2 man in the Assembly GOP leadership, just ahead of Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick, who is also considering a U.S. Senate bid.
