<![CDATA[Central Jersey Newswire: Election '24]]>https://www.centraljerseywire.com/s/election-24https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yf_8!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5af4ccd3-18a5-4079-a61d-457b5ccc6eda_500x500.pngCentral Jersey Newswire: Election '24https://www.centraljerseywire.com/s/election-24SubstackFri, 01 May 2026 11:12:30 GMT<![CDATA[Republican Fear and Loathing in District 3]]>https://www.centraljerseywire.com/p/republican-fear-and-loathing-in-districthttps://www.centraljerseywire.com/p/republican-fear-and-loathing-in-districtWed, 13 Dec 2023 23:28:14 GMTBurlington, Mercer, Monmouth - Congressional District 3 poses a significant test for a Republican party reeling from a blue wave this past November: who can win?

The seat currently held by Andy Kim, the lead challenger to First Lady Tammy Murphy and recent winner of a Monmouth Democrats straw poll, has the potential to open up the flood gates for Republicans entrants, posing a threat to current candidate Shirley Maia-Cusick, an immigration consultant . According to a number of insiders with close contact to local Republican grassroots leaders, Cusick is saying her senate-turned-congressional bid has failed to gain traction.

North Jersey Immigration Services
Cusick, an immigration consultant, is at risk of being drowned out by a potentially flooded Republican field. (Photo Credit: Worldwide Legal Services)

CJN probed District 3 which includes municipalities in Mercer and Monmouth counties, and a large majority in Burlington. Possible candidates for the GOP nod are:

  • former Senator and Sheriff Jean Stanfield

  • former Congressional candidate Bob Healey

  • Assemblyman Mike Torrissi

  • former Assemblyman Brandon Umba

  • Millstone Township Mayor Al Ferro

  • Medford Mayor Chuck Watson

  • Bass River Mayor Debbie Buzby-Cope

Cusick has placed her campaign’s trust in South Jersey consultant Steve Kush, CEO of Steve Kush Consulting. Despite an unrepeated 2021 victory with now-outgoing Sen. Ed Durr, Kush recently suffered losses in Gloucester County and with former Atilis gym owner and 9/11 conspiracy-theorist Ian Smith.

“Without the proven electoral strength of Andy Kim and no clear Democratic favorite to replace him, we now have several strong Republican candidates are considering this race and having active discussions about jumping into it in early January, “ said one insider.

”Clearly local Republicans would be best served by a candidate with proven electoral success, the ability to raise real dollars, and a team with any true track record of success.”

Cusick has received $362,403.71 since announcing her Senate campaign earlier this year. She later turned her focus to the House seat in CD-3 in October after Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano-Glassner entered the race for U.S. Senate.

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