Rep. Rob Andrews (D) "has rejected the notion that he should change his mind and accept a 'draft' to run for re-election." Andrews CoS Bill Caruso: "He answered the question on election night. And the answer is no." Andrews said before the 6/3 primary, "win or lose in his bid to wrest the" Senate nod of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D), "he would not, 'under any circumstances' seek to return to the House."
6/4, local Dems lead by Assem. Speaker Joe Roberts (D) "heaped praise on Andrews and urged him to consider running in the interest of his constituents." Burlington Co. Dem chair Rick Perr: "We don't want to see him go."
While local Dems "may be urging Andres to reconsider, his fellow" Dem congressmen from around NJ "apparently aren't." Rep. Frank Pallone (D-06): "He shouldn't break his promise. This is why people criticize New Jersey politics." Rep. Rob Andrews (D) wife Camille Andrews (D), who won the Dem nod 6/3, "has said she is a legitimate candidate and willing to run, she said she is willing to step aside in favor of someone else if asked by party leaders." Pallone: "The voters nominated Camille. What is this 'placeholder' business? It''s absurd if she resigns and they put someone else in" (Pearsall, Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 5/6).
Caruso, on Pallone's comments: "I guess you find out who your friends are." Pallone and Andrews "exchanged greetings on the floor of the House" 6/5 "as the congressmen considered the federal nudget." Pallone: "We said 'hello' but nothing else I'd comment on'" (Pizarro, politickernj.com, 6/5).
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