Joshua Zeitz, a former aide to Governor Jim Florio and U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli, is expected to run against fourteen-term Republican Congressman Christopher Smith. Zeitz has raised $43,032, while Smith, a traditionally anemic fundraiser, has $204,161 cash on hand. Zeitz actually outraised Smith during the last quarter.
Zeitz is the son of Carl Zeitz, a longtime player in New Jersey politics. Carl Zeitz started as a reporter and later became a state Casino Control Commissioner.
Zeitz donors include: former Democratic State Chairman Tom Byrne, former McGreevey/Torricelli Chief of Staff Jamie Fox, former State Sen. Gordon MacInnes and his wife, Democratic fundraiser Blair MacInnes, Democratic lawyer Angelo Genova, lobbyist Harold Hodes, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President George Zoffinger, and Torricelli business partner Sean Jackson. He also received a contribution from Jeffrey Laurenti, a former Senate Democratic Executive Director who ran against Smith in 1986.
