Gooch “has a decision to make”

Diane Gooch, Chairwoman of Strong New Jersey, Vice Chair of the Monmouth GOP, and a primary candidate for the GOP nomination in the 6th congressional district in 2010 is not ready to jump into another race for congress, according to a source familiar with her thinking.

Gooch, of Rumson, now resides in Republican Chris Smith’s 4th district. In 2010 her residence was part of Democrat Rush Holt’s district but she chose to compete in the 6th.

Former Highlands Mayor Anna Little, the 6th district GOP nominee in 2010 didn’t stop running against Pallone until recently. She now appears to be focused on competing for the nomination to challenge U.S. Senator Robert Menendez.

A Democratic strategist close to Pallone feels the new 6th is slightly safer for the incumbent. The Democrat thinks that Perth Amboy, Carteret and all of Woodbridge off set the loss of Plainfield.