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Toms River native Al Leiter, who played for the Yankees and Mets, says he's unlikely to challenge John Adler for Congress in 2010

Former baseball star Al Leiter told PolitickerNJ.com's Matt Friedman yesterday that he was not likely to challenge John Adler for Congress in 2010, and an announcement today by Major League Baseball may explain why: MLB Network has hired Leiter, the YES Network color commentator, to join their studio team.  Leiter will appear on MLB Tonight and on Hot Stove, their off season show.  The Toms River native had told New Jersey Republicans as recently as October that he has a strong interest in running for office.

Former Tabernacle Committeeman Justin Murphy said today that he’s probably going to run for the Republican nomination in the 3rd Congressional District again in 2010.

“We’ve got to build a nice network and base. It’s a long time. A year from now we’re going to get serious about it,” said Murphy, who hopes to get the opportunity to take on Democratic Congressman-elect John Adler next time. 

Murphy surprised many political observers with his strong performance in the Republican 3rd District Congressional primary in June, in which he ran as an anti-machine candidate.  The race was thought to be neck-and-neck between Medford Mayor Chris Myers and Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly, while Murphy was considered by many to be an “also ran.”  But when the votes were counted, Myers won with 12,694 to Kelly’s 6,531 and Murphy’s 6,494. 

Toms River native Al Leiter, who played for the Yankees and the Mets, isn't likely to challenge U.S. Rep.-elect John Adler in 2010

Former baseball star Al Leiter said today that he will not likely run against Congressman-elect John Adler in 2010.

“I definitely have been curious enough to still be around the political scene… and my interest is there, while it’s stronger sometimes and weaker than others.  So that’s why I don’t ever dismiss the idea of running someday.  But I know I’m not ready now, and I’m almost certain that in 2010 I won’t be ready,” he said.

Some Republicans courted Leiter, a Toms River native who currently lives in Florida and works as a sports commentator, to run for in the 3rd Congressional District last year.  But Leiter said at the time that he’d rather get some local experience as an elected official, either in New Jersey or Florida, before running for federal office.

State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) is a possible candidate for Congress against John Adler in 2010

If Republicans can't beat John Adler in 2010, chances are they never will.  If Adler wins a second term, watch for mapmakers to take take some heavily Republican Ocean County towns out of his district when new congressional districts are drawn for the 2012 elections.  Adler scored a 52%-48% victory last week over Republican Christopher Myers for the seat of retiring twelve term U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton -- a seat Democrats hadn't won since 1882.

Republican insiders say that Myers isn't likely to get a second shot at the seat, and that the favorite candidate could be former major league baseball pitcher Al Leiter.  Leiter, a Toms River native who has said he wants to run for office someday, has turned down several offers to seek U.S. Senate and House seats in recent years.  Other possible Adler opponents include: State Sen. Diane Allen (who must first heal wounds in a very fractured Burlington County Republican organization); State Sen. Phil Haines; Assemblywoman Dawn Addiego; Assemblyman Brian Rumpf; and Ocean County Freeholder Jack Kelly, who lost the '08 GOP primary to Myers.

Cumberland County Democratic Chairman and Freeholder Director Lou Magazzu said that he’s flattered that local Republicans made him an issue in their campaign, even though he wasn’t on the ballot.

Democrats not only took complete control of the freeholder board, but took over the county surrogate’s office and knocked off an incumbent Republican sheriff.  Altogether, they went five for five.  Now, the only county-wide Republican elected official left is County Clerk Gloria Noto.

“I was delighted that the Republicans decided to make me the issue.  When you make somebody the issue, it either becomes a repudiation or a vindication. They made that bet and they bet wrong,” said Magazzu.  “But it certainly wasn’t just me. In fact, I was the least part of the equation.  What we had was good organization, good fundraising, one consistent message, great candidates and unbelievable support from labor.”

Feeling comfortable about his party’s domination of the county, Magazzu said he’s ready to step down as county chairman to devote more time to his job as Freeholder Director.  He’s starting to look for a replacement today.

Tuesday night was the political equivalent of the World Series and Super Bowl. Only TV could keep up with the action and election returns.

And if you cared about the New Jersey races, NJN was the only TV station to tune to.

Get this: more than an hour after NJN had televised Democrat John Adler's acceptance speech in the state's 3rd Congressional District, NBC-10, KYW-TV and WPVI Ch. 6 over in Philly were still showing the G.O.P. candidate with the lead.  

NJN showed the Adler speech around 10:40 p.m.

The phones are ringing off the hook at State Sen. John Adler’s congressional campaign headquarters this morning, with callers offering consoling words to staffers, only to be told that no, actually, Adler won.

While the results are in, some of the political tickers haven’t updated, and still show Medford Mayor Chris Myers with a narrow lead over Adler. While the Courier-Post’s Web site called the race for Adler, it still shows Myers with a 2,000 vote lead.

Adler’s new media consultant, Jay Lassiter, has been fielding many of the calls.

"I am glad that I didn't party too hard last night since the phones have been ringing all morning with folks who needed a talking down,” he said.

Adler (D-Cherry Hill) won the district last night by performing particularly well in Burlington County and Cherry Hill, while keeping Republican Chris Myers’ margin of victory to under 12 percent in Ocean County.

Adler enters his victory party

MOUNT LAUREL – There was a loud roar when State Sen. John Adler took the stage to make his congressional victory speech at the Marriott Hotel tonight.

“I guess that’s what it sounds like when you wait 122 years to vote for a Democrat,” said Adler.

It was a huge night for South Jersey Democrats.

Not only was it a good night for Adler, the first Democrat to represent this district since the late 19th century, but for the Burlington County Democrats, who picked up a County Clerk seat and two freeholders – routing the Republicans this time around. That Barack Obama looked to be on a sure path to victory against John McCain didn’t dampen the mood either.

“I take this vote as a mandate for positive change for society,” said Adler.

Mt. Laurel -- The hotel ballroom just erupted in cheers as John Adler made his way inside.

Myers Campaign Manager Mark Warren said that Chris Myers called Adler to concede.

Democrats have picked up a Republican House seat in New Jersey's third district, with State Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) defeating Medford Mayor Christopher Myers.  The incumbent, Republican Jim Saxton, is retiring after 24 years in Congress.  Democrats have not won this seat since 1882.