HACKENSACK — After winning the convention in rival Steve Lonegan’s home county with 78% of its Republican committee votes, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie chastised Lonegan for refusing to compete in county committee conventions without once mentioning his name.
“Don’t let anybody tell you.. that you don’t come and try to get the support of each and every county committee member in each and every county. You are the backbone of our party,” he told the crowd of committeemen and women after the results of tonight’s Bergen County Republican convention were read.
Although Lonegan showed up to several screening committees in recent weeks, his campaign has stopped actively seeking votes at conventions, claiming that party leaders had stacked the process in favor of Christie.
“If you’re unwilling to compete for these votes, and if you’re unable to win these votes, then you’ve got to wonder if you belong on the ballot at all,” said Christie.
The only other gubernatorial candidate who showed up at the Bergen County Republican convention was Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine, who did not win any votes.
