Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul has endorsed Republican Steve Lonegan in the race to replace retiring Rep. Jon Runyan in New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, PolitickerNJ reported.
The libertarian folk hero and former GOP presidential candidate endorsed Mr. Lonegan’s 2009 bid against then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie. Mr. Lonegan is squaring off in a Republican primary against former Randolph Mayor Tom MacArthur.
“Steve Lonegan will be a fantastic congressman for the third district of New Jersey,” Mr. Paul said. “His commitment to smaller government and more personal liberties is exactly what we need in Washington.”
Mr. MacArthur, however, has the backing of much of the Republican establishment, including the Ocean County and Burlington County GOP, and has been bestowed “On the Radar” status as part the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program.
Mr. Lonegan told the Philadelphia Inquirer in March that the race would come down to the “liberal wing of the Republican party trying to force out a conservative, so let’s have it out.”
He also launched an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate last year against Democratic Sen. Cory Booker. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky campaigned for Mr. Lonegan in that race.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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