Free Republic

Former U.S. Rep. Marge Roukema, one of the dwindling numbers of moderate Republicans, has died. She was 85 and had Alzheimer's disease. Roukema was first elected to the House during the Ronald Reagan landslide of 1980, defeating Democratic incumbent Andrew Maguire in Northern New Jersey, and retired after finishing her 11th term in 2003. “We have lost a tremendous leader and state treasure today," said newly elected U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Ewing, who will be the first woman representing New Jersey in Congress since Roukema retired. "Congresswoman Marge Roukema was a standard bearer for many in New Jersey and...

The two candidates vying to succeed retiring Congresswoman Marge S. Roukema questioned each others' commitment to public education Tuesday.Democrat Anne Sumers said her opponent, Republican Assemblyman Scott Garrett of Sussex County, has harmed public schools with his voting record, and Garrett accused Sumers of hypocrisy because she has not voted in her local school elections for more than a decade.At a news conference behind Ridgewood High School on Tuesday, Sumers surrounded herself with teachers and local school board officials and vowed to fight for more federal money for teacher training and school construction."My drive for public education will never wane,"...

Russo upsets CardinaleBy SHANNON D. HARRINGTONStaff WriterRepublican Party delegates Thursday delivered an upset victory to a Ridgewood assemblyman and a win to a veteran Wyckoff state senator in their campaigns for two of Bergen County's most important elected positions.Assemblyman David C. Russo received 10 votes more than Sen. Gerald Cardinale, giving him the Republican line in the June primary for the seat being vacated by 11-term Rep. Marge S. Roukema in the 5th Congressional District.Sen. Henry P. McNamara was chosen to run for the office held by William "Pat" Schuber, the outgoing Bergen County executive.Treffinger backedThe party also backed...