I recall this story for you because it is one that is relevant to all of us who follow Garden State politics. It reminds us of elections past where we hoped that Doug Forrester could topple Bob Torricelli, or Tom Kean Jr. could beat Bob Menendez, or even Bob Franks could defeat Jon Corzine. But what makes this election different is that our candidate today — a candidate far superior to current Governor Jon Corzine – had the upper hand, only to lose ground in recent weeks in an extraordinary fight. It is one that required a man of honor to defend honorable decisions; one that forced a man with a record of success to distinguish himself from a man with a record of failure; and one that forced the right candidate for New Jersey to fight for his political life every day of these last few months. I bet if you ask former Congressman Bob Franks, it’s a lot like the fight he had just a few years ago.

Try defending an extraordinary record against a man with an extraordinary bank account.

There is no doubt that Chris Christie has been taken off his message and that his opportunities to define himself have been lost in a campaign mired in defending himself. His campaign has missed opportunities and doesn’t have the slickness and the star-power of the Corzine campaign. But isn’t that what we as Garden Staters stand against? Don’t we want someone who stands against corruption? Don’t we want someone to bring down our exorbitant taxes? Don’t we want someone who can support our small business owners? Don’t we want someone who’s FROM New Jersey??

Christie will have to pull off an extraordinary Election Day operation tomorrow against a well-oiled Corzine operation, but I will do everything I can to encourage my family and friends to support Christie. He’s the best conservative statewide candidate we’ve seen in many years, he’s the best on the issues we care about, and he’s the best chance we’ve got to reclaim the beautiful Garden State.

For anyone who’s seen the blight of Xanadu in the Meadowlands, you’ll know that it wasn’t commissioned by anyone who loves New Jersey…

Join me in encouraging everyone you know to support the candidate who is right for our state. Let’s reset the trend in New Jersey and guide this ship to the shore…the Jersey Shore…and let’s celebrate Christie’s victory together.

Mayor Steve Lonegan ran a hard fought race, brought in far more votes than the party leadership expected, and garnered support from an electorate that does not traditionally support staunchly conservative candidates. I’ve personally volunteered for Mayor Lonegan in a previous run for office. I know him to be a man of great leadership and for that reason, and so many more, I hope Mayor Lonegan quickly comes to the aide of Christie in his run against Corzine, and I hope those who supported Lonegan’s candidacy will do the same. If we don’t work together in this election, our party will surely fail.

Christie’s for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, high ethical standards, and he’s pro-life. But just as importantly, he’s the candidate who can win the general election in the Garden State. He can restore confidence in a state plagued with political scandal; and with a proven track record over the last eight years as U.S. Attorney, he would restore New Jerseyans’ faith in their statewide leader. But that being said, it will take any candidate awhile to restore what has been lost under the Democrats rule in my beloved home state.

Most importantly, Chris Christie is a born and bred New Jersey Republican, and let me assure you that matters in a state that is frequently the butt of jokes and unfair stereotypes. In a state like New Jersey where people are fiercely proud and loya, and the Republicans are few and far between, it’s wonderful to know a committed leader who is also a New Jersey native. (As if you need reminding, the current governor most definitely is not.)

One aspect of New Jersey politics that tends to go unrecognized in national reporting is the level of power held in the governor’s office. The New Jersey Governor is the most powerful governor in the Union, and responsible for appointing EVERY state cabinet secretary, including the attorney general and the secretary of state. And he (or she) appoints all members of the boards and commissions members and all judges except the municipal types. Let me say that again – nearly EVERY judge in the state is appointed by the governor.

We NEED a Republican governor in Trenton.

New Jersey is a complicated state for the Republican Party. While it’s fiscally conservative, the electorate is decidedly more moderate on social issues. We clearly can’t change all that today, but we can take a hard look at our political priorities and back the man who will best fight for them.

Let’s face it; Jon Corzine is in DIRECT OPPOSITION not only to our party, but to all of our principles. And he will stop at nothing to win.

Corzine is a liberal Democrat who played a hand in the fall of Wall Street and the decimation of our 401Ks. He is appointing judges and state board members (to the HUNDREDS of PAYING boards and commissions in the state) and making decisions that are most certainly NOT in line with our principles, or the best interests of any of the voters.

New Jersey needs Chris Christie. And if I were still registered there, as a solidly conservative Republican, I’d vote for Republican Chris Christie. But since I can’t vote in my home state anymore, I’ll give every spare ounce of time and effort to helping him get elected and convincing those conservatives who backed Lonegan that Christie is now the best pick for the job. My friends and family who still reside there deserve a leader who will fix what has been broken for so long.

Please join me in supporting Chris Christie.