On my list of 99, New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone was among the last. He’s usually won comfortably, but if Middlesex County could tire of a big-spending Democrat like Jon Corzine, it’s not unthinkable they could consider turning in their longtime congressman. A Campaign Spot reader tells of his interactions with GOP House candidates Diane Gooch and Anna Little.

You’re calling Pallone a potentially marked man in NJ-6. I just went to the polls this morning and wanted to share my experiences with you for today and leading up to today. Prior to primary day I separately sent notes to both the Gooch and Little campaigns requesting a schedule of when they would be in northern Middlesex County. (Their websites had a lot of events in Monmouth County.) The Gooch campaign did not respond. The Little campaign sent an event calendar that included an appearance at a Young Republican event in Bridgewater, which is outside the district but plenty close to me. Being in the same generation as you as much as I would like to consider myself a young republican I probably don’t exactly fit their demographic, yet I went to meet Anna. Much to my dismay she was a no show. I sent a note back to the campaign expressing my disappointment, to which the response came that her husband had a medical issue that caused her to miss the event. Her other scheduled event in Middlesex County for last Friday was also cancelled, but she made the effort to reach me by phone to introduce herself and talk. I must say I was impressed by the effort, but what struck me as odd was after forty five minutes on the phone she closed without asking me for my vote. As a sales guy you don’t leave without asking for the order.
I’ve probably seen an equal number of Little and Gooch signs throughout the area. Gooch has sent a single mailer in the past week and has made several radio ad buys on NY stations. Nothing comparable from Little. Pallone is sitting on a $1+M war chest that he would prefer to use on a statewide run for Senate. Gooch has the ability to self fund and could force Pallone to spend more money today to defend his seat.
If the wave that began with Christie continues in November Pallone is out; if Pallone still pulls it out a Gooch candidacy could weaken his resources for 2012 and allow for a more competitive Senate race (big if’s.) According to Little her campaign solicited a debate with Gooch, but the Gooch campaign did not respond. Gooch is a political novice with money. The availability of her money is driving her candidacy and appeal; her convictions and strength of her ability to sell is message in person is in question. Little struck me as a conservative’s conservative almost to an extreme. I think not only did she drink the Kool-Aid, but she might have overdosed on it. She was talking to me about building veto proof majorities in both houses. Nice thought, but practically speaking doesn’t seem very practical. Little definitely is a conviction politician that can bring demonstrable experience. Overall a tough, but very distinct decision for primary voters today. Went to my local poll at 9:30 AM. Place was dead. I was number ten for republicans; saw two had voted on the Dem side. Anyway, thought I would give you another data point from your old locale.

UPDATE: With few races beyond some House primaries, New Jersey voters aren’t all that enthralled by this primary-election day. Save Jersey reports:

A local Republican volunteer in Camden County just told me that she voted at 3:45pm at her home precinct. The poll worker told her that she was only the 6th Republican to vote today! We’re getting similar reports from Monmouth County, too, and each of the other 19 counties. Only 8 percent of eligible primary voters turned out in 2006 (11 percent bothered to show up in 2004).