As expected, Camden County Republicans have awarded their organization line to Curtis Bashaw, a critic of presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump, as their candidate for U.S. Senate in the June primary election.
Bashaw, a real estate developer and hotel owner from Cape May, is seeking the Senate seat held by indicted Democrat Bob Menendez for the last eighteen years.
Bashaw was the recommendation of the GOP screening committee. Under party rules, the screening committee is simply advisory, and the Republican county chairman, Tom Crone, awards the line.
“Curtis Bashaw brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the issues facing our state and country. As a successful businessman and entrepreneur, he has a proven track record of creating jobs and promoting economic growth,” said Crone. “His commitment to conservative principles and dedication to serving the people of New Jersey makes him an ideal candidate for the U.S. Senate”
This is Bashaw’s fifth line after winning conventions in Atlantic, Ocean, Cumberland, and Somerset counties.
His win in Camden is not surprising; Crone is part of a regional alliance of Republican county chairs in South Jersey who have backed Bashaw for the Senate.
Camden Republicans are also backing Trump, putting the former president on a county line with a moderate who worked against Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Teddy Liddell, a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran, will run on the Camden line for Congress against Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) in New Jersey’s 1st district.
“Liddell has a track record of service to our country and a deep understanding of the issues facing our district. As a West Point graduate and former military officer, Teddy brings a unique perspective to the table,” Crone stated. “He is a staunch supporter of our military, a defender of traditional family values, and a proponent of limited government.”
Liddell faces former Collingswood school board member Claire Gustafson, who challenged Norcross in 2020 and 2022, and two others: Damon Galdo, a union carpenter who lost the 2022 primary to Gustafson; and Nicholas Whitelock, a real estate investor.
The 1st district is strongly Democratic, and Gustafson lost to Norcross 62%-35% in 2022 and 62%-38% in 2020; she also lost a Republican primary for the same district in 2014.
Ten Republicans are seeking the U.S. Senate nomination, but only Bashaw, former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zdan, and Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner have had any success during the state’s convention season. Serrano Glassner has organization lines in Hunterdon, Morris, Union and Warren, and Zdan has them in Monmouth and Passaic.