Republicans have dropped their last-ditch effort to get a replacement candidate on the November ballot in a closely watched state Assembly race after one of the party's contenders dropped out when it came to light that a book he wrote 12 years ago was filled with ethnic and racist slurs and stereotypes
TRENTON -- Republicans have dropped their last-ditch effort to get a replacement candidate on the November ballot in a closely watched state Assembly race after one of the party's contenders dropped out when it came to light that a book he wrote 12 years ago was filled with ethnic and racist slurs and stereotypes.
With only weeks left before Election Day, leaders in the state's Republican Party filed a lawsuit last week to replace Anthony Cappola's name on the ballot in north Jersey's 38th District.
It had been considered one of the few races in New Jersey's Assembly elections this year in which Republicans had a viable shot at picking up seats in the Democratic-controlled lower house of the state Legislature.
MORE: N.J. Assembly candidate drops out over slur-filled book
But Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union) -- the highest-ranking Republican in the lower house -- that the party was in the process of withdrawing the suit, which was set to be heard before a state Superior Court judge in Paterson on Wednesday.
Bob Yudin, chairman of the Bergen County Republican Party, declined comment Tuesday.
The issue began two weeks ago when the website Politico asked Cappola, 41, about a 2003 book he wrote and self-published called "Outrageous," which featured lengthy rants against gays, women, blacks, Asian, Muslims, and more.
Cappola announced Oct. 1 he was quitting the race and resigned from the River Edge council a day later.
"I'm sorry if I offended anyone and deeply regret what was written," he said in a statement.
Cappola and running mate Mark DiPisa were challenging incumbent Democrats Tim Eustace and Joseph Lagana in the 38th District, which includes parts of Bergen and Passaic counties. DiPisa has remained in the race.
Republicans were aiming to replace Cappola with Fernando Alonso, a lawyer from Oradell, on the ballot.
Because ballots had already been printed, Republican officials told The Record of Bergen County recently that they were willing to bear the cost of printing and mailing new ones.
But Bramnick said the costs to reprint the ballots proved to be higher than the party expected: more than $100,000 in Bergen County alone.
"At some point, you have to make a threshold decision: In one race, how much could we afford?" Bramnick said. "At the end of the day, it was very expensive and late in the process to begin with."
The move means Cappola's name will remain on the ballot next to DiPisa's. But Bramnick said the party will mount a write-in campaign for Alonso.
Assembly races top the ticket in New Jersey this year. Republicans are hoping to pick up seats in the house, which is currently controlled by Democrats, 48-32. The state Senate is also controlled by Democrats.
Bramnick said he hasn't given up on the race in the 38th.
"I'm the all-time optimist," he said. Mark DiPisa has worked really hard. Does it make it tougher? I don't think anyone argue it doesn't."
"But the thing I would emphasize is: The Democrats have to defend a 13-year record," Bramnick added. "What policies got us into this unaffordable mess? It certainly wasn't (Republican Gov.) Chris Christie raising taxes."
Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) released a statement slamming the GOP in the wake of the news Tuesday.
"We've known this for a while, and this election cycle has proven it: The Assembly Republicans are either unable or unwilling to field credible candidates who reflect the sensible, moderate, middle-class values of the electorate they seek to represent," Greenwald said.
Put our forts behind Mark DiPisa and a write-in ballot for Alonzo
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
