Camden endorses Mehta for Senate

Camden County Republicans have endorsed Rik Mehta for U.S. Senate, giving the U.S. Food and Drug administration official his fourth organization line in the race to take on Cory Booker.

Mehta has emerged as the front-runner after winning conventions in Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties over the last ten days.  Camden is his first victory outside central New Jersey.

Party rules allow the GOP county chairman, Rich Ambrosino, to award the line.  Instead, he opened the process and set up a screening committee to interview the Senate candidates and vote on a recommendation.

“I prefer to be more inclusive,” Ambrosino said.  “It’s a system that works well for us.”

According to Ambrosino, Mehta was the unanimous pick.

“Rik Mehta is qualified, has a keen grasp of the issues voters care about, is raising money and has assembled a quality campaign team,” the chairman said. “Mehta in the column helps our down ballot candidates in November.”

Monmouth County Republicans will hold their convention on Saturday.  Only Mehta, Hirsh Singh and Natalie Rivera will be on the ballot as the only candidates to move forward after a screening committee process.  Mehta is the favorite to win.