The National Rifle Association has endorsed 38 Republican legislative candidates, including Ed Durr (R-Logan) and Christopher Del Borrello in two hotly-contested South Jersey Senate races.
Endorsements also went to their Assembly running mates, Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (R-Mannington) and Tom Tedesco in the 3rd, and Matt Walker and Amanda Esposito in the 4th.
Durr faces former Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro); two years ago, he unseated Senate President Steve Sweeney in one of the greatest political upsets in the history of New Jersey politics.
A former Washington Township councilman, Del Borrello faces Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Washington Township) for the 4th district Senate seat. The incumbent, Democrat Fred Madden (D-Washington Township) is retiring after 20 years as a senator.
The NRA did not endorse in the 2nd, 8th, 11th, 14th, 16th and 38th districts.
Seven other Senate incumbents received NRA endorsements: Michael Testa, Jr. (R-Vineland), Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver), Douglas Steinhardt (R-Lopatcong), Anthony Bucco (R-Boonton), Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville), Robert Singer (R-Lakewood), and Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa).
Berkeley Mayor Carmen Armato and Assemblyman Parker Space (R-Wantage), running for the 9th and 24th district Senate seats, respectively, were also endorsed by the NRA.
In addition to GOP incumbents in the 1st, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 23rd, 26th, 39th and 40th districts, NRA support also went to: Stafford Mayor Greg Myhre in the 9th; Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra in the 10th; Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia and Chester Mayor Mike Inganamort in the 24th; Saddle River Councilman John Azzariti in the 39th; and Essex County Republican Chairman Al Barlas in the 40th.
In District 25, the NRA endorsed only Assemblyman Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson).