Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 55

Special Pullout Section i Democrats try to be different i to i if RNOU. 1'UK CkU 1 I l. I a 1 ii 7 1 ii i-wm f. I its jsmwmw ry? 'Mr Hr i i I III wmw rainioffii Degnan for candidates who can raise $50,000 on their own in contributions of $800 or less. In the past, candidates sought the endorsements of county political organizations.

Such endorsements were coveted because they meant the winner's name would be bracketed with the local organization slate in a prime position on the ballot, which is always an advantage. Under an open primary, though, all names have to be listed together on a separate line. So, in theory, the value of county endorsements is diminished. Public financing also is designed to give candidates an even break. It imposes a ceiling ($1,050,000) on the amount of money any candidate (who accepts public funds) can spend in the race.

WHAT PUBLIC financing has done, in the view of some political observers, is bloat the field of candidates since it makes the job of running for office easier. Four years ago, there were 10 Democrats in the primary race. This year, the 13 candidates, in alphabetical order are former state Sen. Herbert J. Buehler of Monmouth County; Degnan; Dodd; Rep.

James J. Florio; Newark Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson; Sen. William J. Hamilton of Middlesex County; former state human services commissioner Ann Klein; Ms.

Stella Mann, a Union teacher; Assemblywoman Barbara W. McConnell of Hunterdon County; Merlino; Rose Monyek, a Rahway housewife and former congressional candidate; Roe and Smith. Several, including one of the perceived frontrunners, Florio, acknowledge they would not be in the race if it weren't for public financing. The large field of candidates combined with the open primary has badly fragmented traditional political bases, making it difficult for any candidate to emerge from the field with a decisive margin. ONE MEDIA CONSULTANT said last week there has been little movement in the campaign and the contest could be a photo finish.

As the race enters its final week, though, the balance could tilt as more of the 1.2 million Democrats registered to vote in the primary pick a favorite. The issues dominating the the campaign haven't helped anyone break away from the pack. Most candidates agree the rising crime rate and shaky economy are uppermost on the minds of the voters. With few exceptions, the remedies they propose are the same. There is a consensus that those who use a gun in the commission of a crime should receive a mandatory, minimum sentence.

However, opinions do differ as to whether the death penalty should be reinstated. Gibson, Hamilton, Mrs. Klein, Mrs. McConnell, Mrs. Monyek and Merlino are opposed to capital punishment for various reasons.

Some say it is not a deterent to crime while others believe it falls too heavily on minorities and leaves no margin for error. DEGNAN, DODD, Florio, Ms. Mann, Roe and Smith favor the death penalty. But some would restrict its use. Degnan, for instance, supports the death penalty for convicts who kill in prison.

Florio favors it for "heinous" forms of murder, such as contract killing; Roe, for those who kill a policeman in the line of duty. All three support it for acts of terrorism. Buehler has both sides of the issue, explaining he personally opposes the death See 13 DEMOCRATS, page 2 By BOB DE SANDO Press State House Bureau WHEN YOU'RE ONE of 13 candidates aiming for the same office and sharing many of your opponents' views, the crucial problem is breaking away from the pack. And as the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination proves, to achieve that goal, candidates will try just about anything. You can do what former Atty.

Gen. John J. Degnan has tried pre-empt a prevailing issue, making it your own. Degnan, Gov. Byrne's favorite in the contest, figures crime is the key issue in the campaign.

Most of his rivals agree, and all have called for a crackdown on hoodlums. But Degnan has tried to corner the market. How? By hammering away at the issue every chance he received. Asked about the economy, he asserts crime is scaring businesses from the state. Asked about the environment, he points out that unscrupulous dumpers are illegally disposing toxic wastes, polluting drinking water supplies.

ANOTHER MEANS you may try to set yourself apart from your rivals is to focus op a controversial issue that is not in their campaign performance. Senate President Joseph P. Merlino, D-Essex, has pushed gun control. It's a topic that may make you as many friends as enemies, but it guarantees publicity. Sen.

Frank J. "Pat" Dodd, D-Essex, has employed the same technique. While many of the televised commercials of his opponents emphasize crime or the economy, Dodd's spots highlight his stands on such issues as abortion (favors freedom of choice) and the death penalty (supports it). If none of the standard issues excite you, try generating interest in a new one. For example, Rep.

Robert A. Roe, has made an issue out of the fact he is the only eligible Democratic contender to refuse state funds to help finance his primary bid. OR, IF ALL ELSE fails, seize upon a gimmick, any gimmick, as long as it's an attention-getter. That's what Jersey City Mayor Thomas F.X. Smith has done.

He let his dog, Henry Hudson, do the "talking" (via a voiceover) for him on his commercials. Not to be outdone, Dodd had his dog, Esther Essex, ehallege Henry to a debate. The Dodd campaign distributed photographs showing Esther sitting at a desk "boning up" for the great event that never was. If you find you have a name recognition problem, try changing it. Dodd made headlines when he took steps to have "Pat" precede his last name on the official primary ballot, instead of his given surname, Frank.

He failed because the effort came too late. Officials ruled his name on the ballot must be the same as the name under which he is registered to vote it will be Frank Pat Dodd on the ballot. It will be another week before voters learn which strategy succeeded. There are several reasons why any was needed in the first place. The current primary campaign is unique in New Jersey history.

TRADITIONAL CAMPAIGN strategies had to be scrapped after the governor, who is completing his second term and cannot succeed himself, signed into law two sweeping election reforms. One mandates an "open" primary. The other provides two-for-one matching funds GOP query: Who's the strongest? By PAUL WOLCOTT Press Staff Writer The candidates follow: Assemblyman Anthony Imperiale of Newark, a law and order candidate with strong blue collar appeal. Former Assemblyman Thomas H. Kean of Livingston, a former Assembly speaker who ran second to state Sen.

Raymond H. Bateman in the 1977 primary. Mayor Lawrence F. "Pat" Kramer of Paterson, Commissioner of Community Affairs in the Cahill administration and a favorite of several county chairmen. Richard McGlynn of Millburn Township, a former judge, deputy attorney general and member of the state Board of Public Utilities.

State Sen. Barry T. Parker of Mount Holly, who has served as Senate majority leader and Assembly speaker during his 15-year legislative career. Mayor John K. "Jack" Rafferty of Hamilton Township, who also served in the Cahill administration as director of the Division of Administrative Procedure and has been a successful Republican candiate in a strong Democratic area.

Joseph of Essex Fells, a millionaire businessman making his first try for elective office. State Sen. James H. Wallwork of Millburn Township, considered the most conservative of the candidates. ALL WOULD SIGN a bill restoring the death penalty, and all oppose further control of privately owned firearms.

All have also called for tougher treat ment of criminals by prosecutors and the courts. In addition to the mandatory sentences now required for crimes in which a gun is used, Imperiale would also seek mandatory sentences for any violent crime, regardless of the weapon used. Parker has spoken out strongly against gun conrol and has keyed much of his tele vision advertising to that point. Wallwork and Rafferty have also supported mandatory sentencing, while Rafferty adds that mere illegal possession of a hand gun should carry a mandatory penalty. All support the immediate construction of a new medium security prison approved by voters last year.

Sullivan has also proposed new prison farm facilities for non-violent criminals. The farms would be built with prison labor and maintained by the inmates. He and Kean have also called for lowering the age at which youthful offenders are treated as adults to 16 years. Kean said he would support legislation reqiring the release of the names of repeat juvenile offenders, as well as requiring their parents to pay for their incarceration if possible. BOTH MC GLYNN AND SULLIVAN have endorsed the neighborhood watch concept, in which unarmed residents patrol their neighborhoods as extra eyes and ears for the police department.

See GOP, Page 2 ment are the problems Republicans say they will address if they capture Morven this year. And even among the eight there is no serious disagreement about what must be done to address the issues; differences arise primarily as to the degrees of action the candidates say they would take. Given the crowded field and the general agreement on broader issues, just one week before the election no candidate had managed to pull away from the pack. Most candidates can produce polls that show them near the top of the field or making rapid advances. But all concede that with 40 percent or more of the voters still undecided, it could be election day before anyone has a clear idea of who will win.

Although the field of eight Republicans appears much smaller that the 13 who are vying for the Democratic nomination, they are fighting for the attention of a considerably smaller number of voters. IN THE 1977 gubernatorial primary, almost 580,000 Democrats came to the polls, but only about 360,000 turned out to vote for Republican candidates. Consequently, some GOP candidates estimate they can win the primary with as few as 100,000 votes, and most agree that 120,000 will mean a solid victory. The relatively small margin needed for victory has the effect of keeping viable a candidate who can attract even a moderate core of supporters, since an average of just 5,000 votes per county will put him in strong contention. WITH THEIR party's fortunes for virtually the rest of the decade at stake, Republican voters in this year's gubernatorial primary must answer a critical question: Who among the eight contenders for the GOP nomination has the best chance of winning in November? With every seat in the Legislature at stake this year, and with the strength of Ronald Reagan's 1980 victory (nearly 100,000 votes in the state) providing the hope of some left-over momentum, the GOP sees a rare chance to make significant gains in Trenton.

A strong candidate at the top of the ticket is a must if Republicans are to make inroads in the Legislature where, until this year, they have been forced to watch Democrats deal among themsmelves. The lack of an incumbent, (Gov. Byrne must know step down after completing the constitutionally mandated two-term limit) coupled with public financing for the primary, have brought eight Republican candidates to the race. THE FIELD includes four current or former legislators, two mayors, a businessman and a former Public Utilities commissioner. There is little disagreement among the eight on the issues; crime, the crumbling economy and a burdensome state govern 'New9 Legislature attracts candidates; 37 races contested By SHERRY CONOHAN Press Staff Writer Running against Sheil for the Senate nomination is Edward T.

O'Connor of Jersey City, while Rodgers' opponent is Michael J. Marino, also of Jersey City. Sheil, who also is in a runoff election for Jersey City mayor's post, is supporting the current mayor, Thomas F. X. Smith, for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Collins is backing Rep. Robert Roe for the gubernatorial nomination and the vote in the Senate race is expected to be tied closely to that in the gubernatorial contest. also of Trenton, for the Democratic Senate nomination. Sollami has the backing of State Democratic Chairman Richard Coffee, the Mercer County Democratic chairman, and has received the party organization's endorsement. Sen.

Steven P. Perskie of Atlantic County is one of six senators facing primary opposition. He is being opposed for the Democratic nomination in the Second District by Richard (Reds) Lavin, a member of the Atlantic City Board of Adjustment and the city's $17,000 a year legislative lobbyist in Trenton. IN THE 24TH District, in Sussex and Warren Counties, Sen. Wayne Dumont Jr.

is locked in a bitter struggle with Assemblyman Donald J. Albanese for the Republican nomination. Dumont, a former Senate president, has accused Albanese of having accomplished nothing in the Assembly, Albanese, who entered and then dropped from the race for governor, has responded by charging that Dumont has been too cozy with Senate Democrats. Democratic Sens. Walter N.

Sheil and Frank E. Rodgers of Hudson County are both being challenged for the Senate nominations in their respective districts, as are their running mates for the two Assembly nominations. The opposition slates are backed by Bayonne Mayor Dennis Collins, a longtime political enemy of Sheil's. Agnes A. Gill of South Toms River, former secretary to the county Board of Elections, and Arthur Midgley, a Little Egg Harbor Township committeeman, are running with the Democratic organization endorsement against Nelson F.

Ramont, a Berkeley Township Committeeman. In Newark, Carole A. Graves, president of the Newark teachers union, is challenging incumbents Willie B. Brown and Eugene H. Thompson for the two Assembly nominations in the 29th District.

There also is a fourth candidate in that race, John Davis Brown, running under the slogan of For Crime and Drug Prevention. There are contests for the Democratic Assembly nominations in two other Essex County districts as well. In the 28th District, Assemblymen Michael F. Adubato, of Newark, and Jimmy Zangari, of Irvington, are being challenged by Fred M. Bost, also of Irving-ton, running under the slogan You Have A Voice.

In the 27th District, Assemblywoman Mildred Barry Garvin, of East Orange, and Harry A. McEnroe, of South Orange, are opposed by Mims Hackett, of Orange, and Murray R. Klepesch, of East Orange. In Hudson County, Assemblyman Joseph V. Doria Jr.

was bumped from the Democratic organization ticket by Gerald F. Fitzpatrick, son of former Hudson County Democratic Chairman Francis J. Fitz- SeelteVERAL SENATE page 3 Brown, also of Orange, and Gayle Brody Rosen, of West Orange. In the 18th District, in Middlesex County, Assemblyman James Bornheimer is opposed for the Democratic nomination by Samuel V. Convery of Edison, a well-financed lawyer.

No-fault insurance is the key issue. THE REPUBLICANS also have a Senate contest in the 18th District with Peter P. Garibaldi, of Cranbury, facong Joseph M. Cooperstein, of Edison Township. The only other primary contest for a Senate nomination is in the 17th District, which includes part of Middlesex County and the city of Plainfield from Union County.

There, Republicans will choose between Donald J. Douglas, of Piscataway, who has the backing of the GOP organization, and John Giammarco, of Middlesex. One of the most closely watched Assembly races is in the new Ninth District in Ocean County. Eagleswood Township Mayor John T. Hendrickson and Lacey Township Mayor Jorge Rod, running with the endorsement of the county GOP organization, are being challenged by Manchester Township Committeeman William E.

Cameron. Cameron initially was tapped by the county GOP leaders to run in the district, but their choice was overturned by the full party organization. THE DEMOCRATS also havan interesting Assembly race in the Ninth District. F. Schuck against each other for the Democratic Senate nomination in the Fifth District in Camden and Gloucester Counties.

Rand, of Camden, a veteran of three terms in the Assembly and chairman of the Transportation Committee, is supporting Rep. James J. Florio of Camden County for the Democratic nomination for governor and has received the Camden County Democratic Organization's endorsement in the primary. Schuck, of Barrington, a veteran of four terms in the Assembly and currently the assistant majority leader, is backing former Attorney General John J. Degnan for the governor and has said he doesn't feel South Jersey has a capable candidate.

IN THE NEIGHBORING Fouth District, which includes parts of Camden, Gloucester and Atlantic Counties, another heated race for the Democratic Senate nomination has developed between Assemblyman Daniel J. Dalton, of Blackwood, and former Assemblyman Kenneth A. Ge-wertz of Sewell, who is attempting a comeback from a primary loss two years ago. The Republicans also have a Senate contest in the Fourth District between Frank B. Smith, of Turnersville, and Connie B.

Roggio, of Laurel Springs. A battle is brewing in the new 15th District in Mercer County where R. Stockman, of Trenton, is vying with Freeholder Paul J. Sollami, BOTH THE STATE Senate and the Assembly are certain to have a new face after this year's elections because of the exodus of 36 of their members 30 percent of the entire 120-seat Legislature. The Senate is losing 10 of its members five of whom are running for governor and has two vacancies resulting from resignations, so there will be at least 12 new faces in the 40-member chamber next January.

In the 80-seat Assembly, 24 members are not returning, but 16 hope to move up to the Senate. With all those seats opening and with the new ones created as a result of the recently approved reapportionment plan, an all-out scramble has developed in the primary election with a host of contests across the state for the voters to decide. THERE ARE 14 contests for party nominations in the Senate and 23 contests in the Assembly. In two districts in the Senate and in three districts in the Assembly, both the Democrats and the Republicans have contests. The only contests in Monmouth or Ocean counties occur in the new Ninth District, where there are no incumbents.

One of the hottest races on the ballot its Assemblymen Rand and Ernest THE OTHER IMCUMBENTS facing primary challenges are Sen. Donald T. Di-Francesco, of Scotch Plains, and Joseph Hirkala of Passaic. DiFrancesco is being challenged for the Republican nomination in the 22nd District, in Union and Essex Counties, by Anthony J. Crincoli, of Livingston.

Hirkala, of Passaic, is opposed for the Democratic nomination in the 36th District, which includes part of Bergen County and the city of Passaic from Passaic County, by Michael T. Carlucci, of Lyndhurst. Before reapportionment, Hirkala's district lay entirely within Passaic County. Two more Assemblymen with aspirations of moving to the Senate will also have to fend off primary challenges. In the 27th District, in Essex County, Assemblyman Richard J.

Codey, of i Orange, is in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination with James J. Sheil is a resident of Jersey City and Rodgers is a resident of Harrison..