Forrester Wins Nomination

Businessman Douglas Forrester, fueled by $3 million from his own pocket, won the Republican nomination Tuesday to challenge Sen. Bob Torricelli, whom he has termed "an embarrassment."

Forrester, a former suburban mayor and state government official, vastly outspent his two rivals and benefited from the abrupt withdrawal of the one-time GOP front-runner, Essex County Executive James Treffinger.

With 74 percent of precincts reporting, Forrester led with 70,838 votes, or 46 percent; state Sen. Diane Allen had 54,882 votes, or 35 percent; and state Sen. John Matheussen had 29,358 votes, or 19 percent.

The $3.1 million Forrester plowed into his own campaign represents part of a dividend from his company, BeneCard Services, which manages prescription drug benefits for employers. His stake in the company is valued at more than $50 million.

Forrester insisted his campaign is about much more than money.

"I'm not just a businessman looking for a way to contribute," he said. "To the extent I have put my money where my mouth is, it's done so on a base of business, party and government experience."

Forrester launched the campaign's first direct attack on Torricelli, releasing a self-funded radio ad in January calling the sitting senator "an embarrassment to all of New Jersey."

In the campaign's final weeks he sent out a mailing condemning negative campaigning. But he defended his use of the term "embarrassment."

"I think it is an honest expression of frustration, chagrin, and profound disappointment that the reputation of New Jersey has been adversely affected by Bob Torricelli," Forrester said. "I think it's rather mild to say he has become an embarrassment."

Torricelli's campaign manager, Ken Snyder, made it clear the Democrats would strike back at Forrester for declining to release his tax returns and for, in Snyder's words, "profiteering as a prescription drug middleman."

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Author: 6 ABC-AP