Offshore Drilling An Emerging Campaign Issue In NJ

NEWARK (AP) ― New Jersey, eager to continue getting revenue from its 127 miles of tourist-friendly ocean beaches, has generally inspired its elected officials to oppose offshore oil drilling. The recent spike in prices at the gas pump, however, may be causing some New Jersey Republicans to reconsider their stance and offshore drilling has become an issue in November's House and Senate races. "This issue can be the bogeyman in this campaign, because there's a coalition of very diverse interests opposed to offshore drilling in this state," said Brigid C. Harrison, a political scientist at Montclair State University. Those interests range from environmentalists to business groups, she said. While environmental matters have generally been important to New Jersey voters, the economic situation now ranks as the top issue, ahead of... [read full story]