Bill Spadea will remain on the air and host New Jersey 101.5’s morning radio drive-time show until he qualifies to run for governor, the station’s owner, Townsquare Media, said this morning.
“Until he becomes a legally qualified candidate, Bill will continue to fulfill his employment responsibilities entertaining and informing the local audience on NJ 101.5 airwaves and digital platforms, as he has done for the last nine years,” the company said in a statement.
Spadea announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor at 10 AM this morning, just after his Monday radio show ended.
Townsquare said they are “sensitive to the legal parameters attendant keeping a broadcast personality on air while they are seeking public office.”
“Accordingly, we have taken steps and imposed guidelines to ensure that Bill’s on-air presence over the coming months and until he becomes a legally qualified candidate, are in accordance with New Jersey election law, applicable FCC guidance, and industry standards and best practices for such circumstances,” the statement said.
What’s still unclear is what “legally qualified candidate” means. It could be qualifying for matching funds, which would not come until January, or having his nominating petitions certified to appear on the ballot, which comes in March.
Unless another candidate or entity files a complaint and wins, Spadea appears poised to remain on the air for twenty hours a week for at least the next six months.
“As a company, and to be clear, Townsquare is and will remain neutral with respect to a Spadea candidacy and does not endorse any political candidates or parties,” their statement said. “ At the same time, Townsquare will continue to uphold the values of integrity and community involvement personified by our team members.”