Kim Guadagno Will Not Participate in Metuchen Republican Debate

METUCHEN, NJ - The next public debate in the Republican primary of the New Jersey governor's race will be Thursday, March 9 in Metuchen. The debate will be held at the Forum Theatre and will begin at 7 p.m.

It is held by the Middlesex County Young Republicans, who are billing the event as a Town Hall discussion, which will go from 7 to 9 p.m. So far, every candidate seeking the Republican nomination to run for governor has committed: Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16th), businessman Joe "Rudy" Rullo and Nutley Township commissioner Steve Rodgers have all confirmed. Joe Piscopo has been invited too.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno will not be attending, her spokesman told Patch.

"The Lt. Governor is not scheduled to attend this one, but we look forward to future opportunities," said Ricky Diaz, Guadagno's spokesman.

This will be the second Republican debate; Guadagno did not attend the first one, either, held in Morristown earlier this month. Republican insiders say Guadagno is focusing her attention on securing the endorsements of county party leaders instead of participating in public debates.

Melanie Collette will moderate. The primary vote will June 6; the general election for governor will be Nov. 7.