Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, R-25th, is getting ready for a $125 per person fundraiser next Wednesday in Morristown. 

If you read this and think he’s preparing for a congressional run in the 11th District, think again. This event at the Rathskeller at Jockey Hollow Kitchen is to raise money for Bucco’s Assembly campaign fund.

“I’m still an assemblyman until something changes,” explained Bucco, who will be joined by Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick and Assembly Republican Whip Nancy Munoz, both R-21st. 

The key part of Bucco’s statement has to do with something maybe changing.

Soon after Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen gave up his reelection bid almost three weeks ago. Bucco’s name popped up as one of many Republicans interested in replacing him. But now that the smoke has cleared a bit, the only announced candidate is Assemblyman Jay Webber of the neighboring 26th District.

Interestingly, over the last two-plus weeks, a number of Republican sources have said they heard from someone reportedly “in the know” that Bucco had decided against a run. This was second and third-hand information to be sure, but such gossip is the blood of politics. 

For his part, Bucco maintains he’s still thinking about it. He said Friday morning that he still has some “loose ends” to deal with before he takes the plunge – or decides not to.

“This is a life changing decision and you don’t make a life changing decision quickly,” he said. 

A week or so ago, Bucco talked about considering what he would need to give-up if he ran for – and won – a seat in Congress. Bucco is a lawyer with a Riverdale firm and also serves as borough attorney in Netcong and Roxbury. Many Morris Republicans also have long surmised that he eventually will seek the state Senate seat now occupied by his father, Anthony R. Bucco.

He described the decision about running for Congress as one of the toughest he’s ever had to make. 

It’s not as if Bucco has been totally inactive. Following Frelinghuysen’s announcement, he quickly formed an exploratory committee to help him decide and a short time later, released a list of supporters.

The primary is in June and the filing deadline is in early April. Bucco theoretically has time, but given the fact a run for Congress is no simple endeavor, you figure he needs to make a decision fairly soon. 

Meanwhile, Bucco is looking to boost his Assembly campaign fund, noting that he could also use it to help other Republican candidates in the state. Money raised for a state campaign can’t be used for a federal campaign even if Bucco goes in that direction.

Looking ahead, while there have been a number of names mentioned, it must be troubling to some that there is only one definite candidate, Webber. 

This is no reflection on him, but contested primaries often benefit voters. Party regulars who enjoy stability may not like hard-fought primaries, but they give the rank-and-file more of a reason to get involved and to vote.

That seems especially true in this case. 

Congress is not the local school board or even the state Legislature.

Republican voters in the district deserve a spirited primary.  

Democracy will not be served by a candidate winning the GOP nomination unopposed.