U.S. Army combat veteran Toby Anderson indicated today that he plans to continue his bid for the Republican nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district despite losing the Morris County GOP organization line.
A first-time candidate and relatively late entrant into the race, Anderson caught some notice with an unexpectedly strong third place finish at the Morris Republican convention on March 5. He came within five votes of securing a runoff berth against County Commissioner Tayfun Selen.
Anderson had challenged the results of the initial convention, alleging that procedural deficiencies led to his loss. The party’s executive committee met to review his complaint, but voted unanimously to reject it
“One witness was called from the Anderson campaign, at the suggestion of (acting Montville GOP municipal chairman Scott) Russell, to give testimony that there were people registering after 7:30, which would have been against the Convention rules,” the GOP organization said in a statement. “Under oath she stated that she did not see that. In fact she only could say that she herself registered before 7:30pm and there were no county committee members being registered after 7:30.”
Anderson had also alleged that some county committee members were not on a certified list sent to candidates one week early. The party found that not to be accurate.
“It’s unfortunate that some losing campaigns attribute their loss to election wrongdoings. I should have been clearer about the most important rule of all regarding the Convention: that not everyone will win,” said Morris GOP Chair Laura Ali. “And just because you lose, it doesn’t make it ok to scream from the rooftops and on social media that there was voter fraud. Our convention was run with the help of nearly 50 volunteer Morris County Republicans who operate with the highest level of integrity, at all times throughout the convention.”
It’s not clear if Anderson is concerned about offending local Republicans.
“I’m not a political insider or a career politician – I’m a three tour Iraq Veteran, small business owner, and father of three young children that is disgusted with what I see happening in Congress and concerned for our future,” Anderson said. “Under Joe Biden and congressional liberals, we have seen record inflation, global unrest, open borders and endless mandates. Today, New Jersey families are less wealthy, less safe, and less free.”
Anderson is trying to rebrand Sherrill, who was called “Montclair Mikie” in her 2018 House race, to “Mute Mikie” in 2022.
“Make no mistake, we’re not going to defeat Mikie Sherrill with another political insider or entrenched politician. To beat Mikie Sherrill we need an outsider, a conservative fighter who will stand up to the broken machine to get this country back on track,” said Anderson. “I’ve fought for my country before, and with your support, I’m ready to continue that service.”
Selen was the top vote-getter on the first ballot with 169 votes (34.8%). Former Kinnelon Council President Larry Casha finished second with 118 votes (24.3%), followed by Anderson with 113 votes (23.3%).
Paul DeGroot, a former prosecutor who had already scored the Passaic GOP organization line and had been viewed a potential contender for a runoff slot, finished fourth with 65 votes (13.4%). Two other candidates, Larry Friscia (14 votes) and Robert Kovic (6 votes), have since dropped out of the race; Friscia went with Casha and Kovic backed Selen.
Selen won the Morris GOP line on the second ballot on last week. Casha is expected to end his congressional run in the next few days.
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