GOP pulls out the stops for Christie

A big-time Republican get-out-the-vote effort for home county gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie could be a problem for Morris County Democrats on all levels on Election Day, according to political observers.

A rally is taking place on the Morristown Green today at noon for Christie, and more than 1,000 students will flood the county in a last-minute door-to-door effort on his behalf to try to get him a major plurality in Tuesday's vote, said county Republican chairman John Sette.

It's an attempt to re-create the same huge GOP vote in Morris County believed to have twice put Gov. Christie Whitman over the top, giving her narrow victories in 1993 and 1997.

Combined with a lack of campaign dollars coming from Trenton Democrats to aide county and local candidates, a party that has long played second fiddle in Morris County but has made some local inroads in recent years, could take a big hit, said county Democratic chief Lew Candura.

"I always have a sense of optimism going into an election,'' said Candura. "But with Chris Christie being from Morris County and the Republican machine going all out for him, it's certainly going to make it much tougher for my candidates. I'm preparing for a bad shock.''

One big political prize at stake is the mayor's seat in the county's most populous town, Parsippany. Democrat Mayor Michael Luther is battling Republican Jamie Barberio. For the first time in a dozen years, Republicans are united and rallying around Barberio.

"I think we're going to take Parsippany,'' said Sette. "The party has come together and Jamie has worked hard, has knocked on all of the doors in town.''

Sette also is optimistic Republicans will fare well in Morristown, a traditional Democrat stronghold, anticipating they may take a few council seats and even have a shot at the mayor's post in a battle pitting Democrat Tim Dougherty and Republican Jim Gervasio.

He also predicted a win in East Hanover that could give the GOP a council majority.

Morris Plains has an unusual situation. Republican Councilman Stephen Welsh is on the ballot but is unable to campaign or accept re-election if he wins because of his job as the Mine Hill administrator, a position he took in January.

There are also countywide races for Assembly, county surrogate and three freeholder seats in a county long been dominated by Republicans, who have a nearly 2-to-1 edge in voter registration over Democrats. Plus, there are contested elections in 23 of 39 towns.

Staff writer Tanya Drobness and Eugene Paik of New Jersey Local News Service contributed to this report. Lawrence Ragonese may be reached at (973) 539-7910 ext.3404, or at lragonese@starledger.com.