Casha ends bid to challenge Sherrill in NJ-11

Former Kinnelon Council President Larry Casha has dropped his bid for the Republican nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district after losing the Morris County GOP convention on the second ballot on March 11, but has not endorsed anyone.

That leaves a four-way race for the chance to take on Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair).

“The results of the Morris County convention were extremely competitive, but ultimately, we fell short of our goal,” said Casha.  “I am proud of the race we ran, but at this time, I will put the Party first, and end my candidacy for Congress.”

Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen defeated Casha in a runoff for the Morris organization line by 15 votes.

Selen faces  former Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor Paul DeGroot, U.S. Army veteran Tony Anderson, and Ruth McAndrew, a farmer and registered nurse from Randolph.

“I strongly believe that whoever emerges from the primary in CD-11 bears a heavy responsibility to the people of Morris County and I vow to be on the front lines in the fight to flip this seat red and stop the madness,” said Casha.

As the GOP state committeeman from Morris County, Casha had few options after losing the convention.  Morris Republicans established an organization line for the first time just last year and Casha, the dutiful Republican, had been expected to back up the organization’s endorsement of Selen.

“I offer my sincere gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers, donors and supporters that stood with my campaign for Congress,” Casha stated.  “I would especially like to recognize my wife Debra for all the sacrifices she has made and the love and support she has given during this process.”

On the first ballot held on March 4,  Selen finished first with 169 votes, but his 34.8% fell far short of the 50% he needed for a first ballot win.  Casha, the Republican state committeeman from Morris County, secured a second-ballot berth by just five votes, 118 to 113, against Anderson, DeGroot, who had been viewed as a possible contender for the runoff, received 65 votes in his fourth place finish.  Two other candidates trailed: attorney Larry Friscia (14) and former Ridgefield Park Councilman Robert Kovic (6).

DeGroot has the organization line in Passaic County.  Selen is expected to get the line in Essex.

Since then, Friscia and Kovic dropped out.  Friscia endorsed Casha while Kovic went with Selen.

This was Casha’s second run for Congress.  He had announced bid to challenge Sherrill in 2020 but withdrew after party leaders coaxed Rosemary Becchi to drop her run in the 7th district and run  in the 11th