He said he was running for the state Assembly in LD-24 and had just moved to Newton to make it all official. But things change in politics and Steve Lonegan said this morning that he’s now in the race for the state Senate.

Lonegan announced three main goals – truly cut government spending (not just its growth), return parental control to schools and reduce regulation. He made his announcement on Bill Spadea’s radio show on 101.5 FM,  a dependable right-wing forum in Democratic New Jersey.

Lonegan, however, doesn’t think of New Jersey as a liberal state.

“This is not a blue state,” he said. “It is inherently a conservative state.”

Given the fact Democrats control the statehouse, the state Legislature, both U.S. Senate seats and nine of 12 House seats, it’s hard to find much support for Lonegan’s assessment.

Then again, none of that matters now. Lonegan’s immediate challenge is to get the GOP nod for Senate, a seat opening up with the retirement of Steve Oroho.

Both Assembly seats in the district are also open, creating a sort of free for all. The very Republican and mostly Sussex County district also covers parts of Morris and Warren counties.
Parker Space, who is now in the Assembly, is running for Senate, which makes him Lonegan’s main primary opponent.

Space today quickly “welcomed” Lonegan to the race.

“How many campaigns does Steve need to lose before he realizes that voters aren’t willing to buy what he’s selling?” Space asked in a release. He also called Lonegan a “carpetbagger,” referring to his recent move from Bergen County.

It is true that Lonegan has lost many races, including runs for governor, Congress and U.S. senator. But in fairness, in some of these races – like his Senate run against Cory Booker in 2013 – no Republican would have won.
Of more relevance, Space alleged that Lonegan is not a real conservative, noting that he raised taxes as mayor of Bogota when he served there from 1995 to 2007.

Raising taxes is a “no-no” in right wing Republican circles. But the reality is that it can be impossible to avoid for just about any municipality. Employees do have to get paid and the public deserves services.

Space is running on a ticket with two Assembly candidates – Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort.

Also in the race for the district’s two Assembly seats are Josh Aikens and Jason Sarnoski. They announced their partnership last week.

It may seem logical for Lonegan to team up with Aikens and Sarnoski. But Aikens said today that is not happening.

“Our position is that we will certainly support whoever wins the Senate primary nomination. It is important to me that my voters know I’m focused 100 percent on (the) Assembly, as is my running mate Jason,” he said.

A lot of Lonegan’s mantra is that he’s running against a Republican establishment that is not sufficiently conservative.

He expressed such views today when he criticized Anthony M. Bucco, who is in line to be Senate Republican leader next year, for taking campaign contributions from unions, including the NJEA and those who backed raising the gasoline tax back during the Christie years.

But on one thing, Lonegan and all his opponents agree.

“Sussex County is the last bastion of conservatism in the state,” he told his radio audience.