Joseph Caruso is ready for a fight, and it looks like he’s ready to take on Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce. Apparently, the establishment isn’t too thrilled about having its feathers ruffled (the nerve of people to think these guys should actually have to earn their reelection). According to Caruso’s campaign, DeCroce has been hard at work making threats against anyone who might support the Caruso-Rottino ticket, and offering to throw money at those who might convince the two to get out of the race.

Caruso’s response?

I want Alex DeCroce to know that I’m going to run a real conservative against him in two years, and you can quote me on that.

Caruso and his running mate, Anthony Rottino, announced this week that they are in it to win it, and no amount of threats and mud-slinging will scare them out of “fighting for what they believe.”

With an impressive turn-out at The Packanack Lake Clubhouse, the businessman-turned-politician told his supporters that he had never, in his years of political involvement, planned that he would run for political office.

So what is the reasoning behind his current campaign?

If the guys in Trenton were doing a good job, I wouldn’t be here tonight… Too many of the Republicans I worked with and worked for have abandoned the principles that I believe in. Trenton insiders have worked to reverse the accomplishments of the Republican Party.

Caruso explained Thursday night that as Assemblyman, his focus would be on controlling spending, stopping the Council on Affordable Housing, enforcing proper oversight, and deregulating the economy.

I will not vote for any spending increases.

I will put an end to COAH. Entitlement is NOT good for the housing market – it is wrong.

Illegal immigration has cost New Jersey $2.1 billion just in education, healthcare, and incarceration. We must force our state to crack down on this problem.

Anthony and I are not afraid of controversy. We’re not afraid to do what’s right because we’re more concerned with our reelection.

Meanwhile, Rottino emphasized the need for job creation in our state and the present problems with our government’s appropriation of funds.

I want to work for you and with you to make some pretty drastic changes.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and friend of Conservatives with Attitude! Steve Lonegan also showed up to the event and had a few kind words to say about the Caruso Rottino ticket. He made note of the particular importance of this year’s race:

The whole country’s going to be watching New Jersey because everything the Republican Party stands for will be tested in this election.

That’s a daunting challenge for us R’s, but from what I’ve learned about Joseph Caruso, he’s man enough to handle it. He’s also got the experience, both in the corporate and political fields – a refreshing change from the typical career politician that New Jersey has gotten so very used to seeing. As campaign consultant Daniel Beckelman maintained,

You can’t have Republicans that don’t provide any opposition to Democrats. Scott and David haven’t done anything to lower taxes, help businesses. Joe and Anthony will.

We can certainly hope.