Roger Stone set to attend Monmouth GOP convention

Roger Stone is headed to New Jersey today to attend a Mike Crispi for Congress fundraiser this evening and will attend the Monmouth County Republican convention on Saturday.

Crispi, a conservative podcaster, is challenging 21-term Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) in the Republican primary in New Jersey’s 4th district.

“Armageddon, baby,” said Stone, who is a paid consultant to the Crispi campaign.  “Top to bottom primary.  The Whitmans, Frelinghuysens,  Lances and other dilettante elitists who want to take the GOP back to the country club.  I ache for their humiliation.”

Smith won the unanimous endorsement of the Ocean County GOP screening committee on Thursday.

The convention will be Smith vs. Crispi.  Four other candidates – Englishtown Councilman Daniel Francisco, attorney David Burg, retired police officer Michael Blasi and perennial purported candidate Tricia Flanagan, did not file petitions to participate in the convention process.  As is her custom, Flanagan is late filing campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission.   She had not yet filed her fourth quarter 2021 report that was due on January 31.

Monmouth County Republicans will also award organization lines in two other House districts.

In the 3rd district, which now includes parts of western Monmouth, businessman Bob Healey, Jr. will seek the organization line for his bid to unseat Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown).  Healey faces a significant primary challenge from Ian Smith, the Atilis gym owner who made national news opposing Gov. Phil Murphy’s mask mandates and business closures in 2020.

Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley, who wants to take on 18-term Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) in the 6th district, faces a challenge at the convention from former U.S. Food and Drug Administration official Rik Mehta, the GOP U.S. Senate candidate against Cory Booker two years ago, and former Republican National Committee staffer Thomas Toomey.