Treffinger Enters 2002 Race for Torricelli's Senate Seat
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
EWARK, Nov. 20 — The race for the United States Senate seat occupied by Robert G. Torricelli got its first official candidate this morning when the Essex County executive, James W. Treffinger, announced in unusually low-key fashion that he was seeking the Republican nomination.
Republicans are particularly eager to capture the seat in November 2002, after an election two weeks ago in which the fragmented party lost the governor's office and majorities in both houses of the Legislature. Mr. Torricelli, a Democrat elected to his first term in a close, decidedly negative campaign in 1996, is viewed as potentially vulnerable next year because of a federal investigation into fund-raising irregularities during the 1996 race.
But Mr. Treffinger, 51, may first have to face former Gov. Thomas H. Kean, a Republican icon in New Jersey whom many Republicans have been trying to coax back into politics since he left office in 1990. Republicans hope to avoid a repeat of the past year's infighting. The state Republican chairman, State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., welcomed Mr. Treffinger into the race as an intelligent and competent candidate. But, Mr. Kyrillos added, "Governor Kean obviously is a star player."
Mr. Treffinger declined to speculate on his chances in a primary against Mr. Kean, or on who would be the better candidate in a general election. Other potential Republican candidates include the publisher Steve Forbes, and Lewis M. Eisenberg, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Torricelli may have signaled his own preference for an opponent, as well as a less combative tone than his 1996 campaign, in a statement his office released today: "Jim Treffinger and Senator Torricelli have been friends, and the senator respects his public service. It would be a good campaign because it would present a real contrast on the issues for the people of New Jersey."
Mr. Treffinger said he would not seek a third term as county executive next November, which would conflict with his second bid for the United States Senate. In his first effort, in 2000, he finished third in the primary behind former Congressman Bob Franks and State Senator William L. Gormley. Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat, beat Mr. Franks in the general election.
Mr. Treffinger's announcement was notable in its lack of fanfare, in the form of a press release, without the usual appearance before a throng of reporters and television cameras.
Mr. Treffinger has $76,000 on hand, and hopes to raise about $8 million, he said. His first campaign event is scheduled for Dec. 19.
Mr. Treffinger begins the campaign with few conspicuous expressions of support from other Republicans.
He said he anticipated support from half a dozen county Republican chairmen, mainly in northern New Jersey, though he did not name them.
"I don't believe in waiting around to be anointed," said Mr. Treffinger, who, as chairman of the Essex County Republican committee, is assured support in at least one county.