Alex Zdan wins Monmouth GOP convention for U.S. Senate – New Jersey Globe

Former News 12 New Jersey reporter Alex Zdan won the Monmouth County Republican convention tonight, giving him the organization line in one of the state’s most heavily Republican counties in his bid to become the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate.

Zdan defeated businessman Curtis Bashaw on the second ballot 111-82, 57.5%-42.5%.

On the first ballot, Zdan led Bashaw by two votes, 103-101, with Glassner finishing third with roughly 40 votes.  About 50 Republicans left after the first ballot.

This is Zdan’s first convention victory and upends the fight to pick a GOP candidate for the seat held since 2006 by Democrat Bob Menendez.  Menendez was indicted on federal corruption charges in September; his trial is due to begin in May.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive the support of the Monmouth County GOP, one of the largest Republican organizations in the state,” Zdan said.  “Our campaign will keep this momentum going until we send a Republican to the US Senate.”

Bashaw, a real estate developer and hotel owner from Cape May County, won the Ocean County GOP convention earlier this evening.  He won the line in Atlantic County on Saturday, and the recommendation of the Middlesex County Republican screening committee last night.

Serrano Glassner, a former George W. Bush administration official with close ties to former President Donald Trump, has scored victories in Hunterdon, Union, and Morris counties.

Six other Senate candidates – Steve Boston, Michael Estrada, Albert Harshaw, Brian Jackson, Justin Michael Murphy, and Fred Schneiderman – did not compete in Monmouth.

Monmouth cast the third highest number of votes in the 2020 Republican primary and makes up roughly 9% of the statewide GOP turnout behind Ocean and Morris.

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) was unopposed for the Republican nomination for a 21st term as the congressman from New Jersey’s 4th district.

In a safe Democratic 6th district, represented by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) since 1988, Monmouth Republicans are supporting Scott Fegler, a 35-year-old political newcomer from Highlands who is director of business development for a wholesale cheese, charcuterie, deli meat, grocery, and seafood products importer.  He faces a primary fight with perennial candidate Gregg Mele, a former Libertarian gubernatorial candidate.

At the Middlesex County GOP screening committee last night, Fegler defeated Mele, 24-5.

County Commissioner Sue Kiley had no opposition in her bid for re-election.