It's official: Unanue out, Zimmer in

Andrew Unanue, a former chief operating officer at family-run Goya Foods Inc. courted last month to run for U.S. Senate by Republican Party leaders, dropped his bid for the nomination Friday morning.

Unanue's given reason for dropping out was "extensive business commitments along with new business opportunities," and he will be replaced on the ballot in June by former U.S. Rep. Richard A. Zimmer.

"After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided to end my candidacy for U.S. Senate," Unanue said in a statement. "I made the decision to enter the race after serious deliberation and I have no regrets. My decision to withdraw is based on an equally thorough deliberation.

"The opportunity to represent the people of New Jersey is a privilege that I accepted with great honor," he said.

Unanue is now back on a skiing trip with his family in Vail, Colo., where he launched his Senate campaign from on Easter Sunday and remained until he filed papers to run this past Monday.

Along with Zimmer, state Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris, and Ramapo College professor Murray Sabrin are in the race to win the GOP nomination.

Pennacchio's campaign yesterday said it planned to file a complaint with the state Division of Elections challenging the validity of Unanue's candidacy and claiming he never intended to run but was merely a placeholder until another candidate was found.

Bergen County Republican Party chairman Rob Ortiz, a member of Unanue's "committee on vacancies" that chose Zimmer to take his ballot spot, said, "It's ludicrous to say that Andy filed for his candidacy in bad faith."

Michael Rispoli: mrispol@gannett.com

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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5 GOP candidates lining up for Monmouth County freeholder seats

Five candidates, including incumbent Lillian G. Burry, are in the race so far to win Monmouth County Republican Party endorsements in this year's election for two freeholder seats.

Today is the deadline for any additional candidates to declare their intention to
meet with the party's screening committee, said party Chairman Adam Puharic.

The other seat at stake this year is held by Republican William C. Barham, who
announced two weeks ago he is not seeking reelection. Control of the freeholder board is at stake. Republicans currently hold a 3-2 majority.

Besides Burry, the other candidates for party endorsements are Red Bank Councilman John Curley, Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso, former Howell Planning Board member Russ Bohlin and Neptune resident Eileen Kean, director of government affairs for the Medical Society of New Jersey.

Puharic said about 20 members of the party's screening committee will meet with
candidates at party headquarters in Freehold on Saturday. The committee can then forward endorsements for one or both open freeholder seats to delegates at the party convention, scheduled for March 26 at the Middletown VFW.

By Bob Jordan