Republican operative Mark Duffy took his name out of the running for Republican State Chairman today.
“I prefer to work on the frontlines of the campaign, and I have no desire for an elected position in the party,” said Duffy, 34, who managed former Rep. Dick Zimmer’s U.S. Senate run against incumbent Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park).
Duffy’s name surfaced as a potential successor to current chair Tom Wilson, who may not seek another two year term. But he said he hadn’t been told of the speculation.
“It was news to me,” he said.
By tradition, the decision of who gets to be the next party chairman rests solely with whoever the Republican gubernatorial is, so there’s little lobbying that prospective candidates can do.
Other names have surfaced, however, including political consultant George Dredden and party activist Bill Spadea. Spadea said yesterday that he would probably not be interested in the position.
