Former Republican Congressman Dick Zimmer Is Ready To Run

As millionaire businessman Andy Unanue appeared to be ending his Republican race for U.S. Senate, former Republican congressman Dick Zimmer said yesterday he is ready to run if asked by party leaders.

The 40-year-old Unanue informed his campaign staff yesterday he was quitting, three ranking Republicans with knowledge of the situation said last night. They declined to be identified because they were not authorized by Unanue to announce his intentions.

Earlier in the day, Zimmer said he had been asked to consider running for U.S. Senate and would do so if one of the three Republicans in the race dropped out.

"I got some calls from some people pretty prominent in the party, just within the last couple of days," Zimmer said. "This is a pivotal time in America history. It would be an honor to help shape our policy."

"I have to emphasize, this has not happened yet," said Zimmer, who is 63. "This depends on whether the party leadership asks me to step in."

Zimmer, now a lawyer-lobbyist in Washington, D.C., served nine years in the Legislature before winning a seat in Congress in 1990. He served three terms in the House of Representatives before seeking Bill Bradley's open U.S. Senate seat in 1996. He lost to Robert Torricelli.

Monday was the deadline for filing nominating petitions, but candidates have until next Wednesday to drop out and allow their parties' three-member committee on va cancies to name a replacement.

Bergen County Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz, who is on Unanue's committee, said yesterday a switch was a possibility.

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