Former Eagle Cobb has only ‘Hail Mary pass’ chance against Norcross in NJ’s 1st District

It’s a David and Goliath battle in New Jersey as a former Philadelphia Eagle tries to enter the world of politics against a state senator from a powerful family. 

The race for the congressional seat left vacant when Rob Andrews resigned pits former Eagle and Republican Garry Cobb against Democratic state Sen. Donald Norcross. Norcross said he wants to continue doing in Washington what he’s been doing as a state senator.

“For the last decade or so, I have been trying to give people jobs. The best social program is a good job, and, certainly, I do that day in and day out,” said Norcross. “So, during my tenure in the Senate, we’ve been focused on the economy and jobs.”

A second priority, he said,  has become education and making college affordable.

Cobb on on his Facebook page had a video attacking Norcross, saying he is a puppet of his brother, South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross.

“You can believe George Norcross controls everything that Donald does,” says Cobb. “He’s the one who gave him his job, he was given his job as a state senator by his older brother who is now trying to give him Rob Andrews’ seat in Congress.”

Donald Norcross’ spokesman says the candidate “is focused on things that matter for the people of the district not tea party rhetoric.”

The candidates appear on the ballot twice, first for a special election to fill the rest of Andrews’ term and a second time for a full two years in Washington.

Each county handles placement of the two elections differently, so study the ballot carefully.

It does mean this is one time when you can vote often, if not early.