W. Caldwell Attorney Appointed GOP Committeeman

No sooner did state Republican Committee Chairman Jay Webber announce that Bill Palatucci would become the next New Jersey Republican National Committeeman that some began to speculate what it could mean for Palatucci's good friend, Gov. Chris Christie.

Webber announced on Thursday that Palatucci would replace David Norcross, who has been the New Jersey Republican National Committeeman for 30 years.

Palatucci, 52, is senior vice president and general counsel for public affairs at West Caldwell's Community Education Centers, which provides educational services and treatment for prisoners leaving halfway houses and rejoining the population.

Palatucci, who lives in Westfield, is also a close friend, advisor and former law partner of the governor.

"Palatucci is a top gun and his appointment speaks volumes about the governor's future objectives," said Ross Baker, professor of political science at Rutgers University. "Bill is likely to be a standout among the 49 other state chairs and able to scout out the possibilities for 2012 and beyond."

Palatucci was the New Jersey campaign manager for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, as well as for Gov. Tom Kean in his history-making landslide re-election campaign in 1985.

Palatucci, who is the former finance chairman of the state GOP, was senior advisor and top fundraiser in the state for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2000 and worked as a consultant for numerous other campaigns, including for Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former state Attorney General Cary Edwards in his gubernatorial campaign, former Bergen County Executive Pat Schuber and former New York Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-Westchester County).

Palatucci graduated from Seton Hall School of Law and Rutgers University.

This year, he served as co-chairman of the Inaugural 2010 Committee for Christie and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

Nicolle Gallo, a spokeswoman for the state GOP, said Palatucci's experience made him the ideal candidate for the job.

"We are looking forward to working with Bill Palatucci as our new Republican National Committeeman," she said. "He is a seasoned professional and will share with the New Jersey Republican State Committee his bounty of knowledge and experience. Mr. Palatucci's priorities are representing the NJGOP and furthering the Republican message in our state and beyond."

Palatucci did not respond to a message left at his West Caldwell office on Friday afternoon.

As the state's national committeeman, Palatucci will help select the national party's chairperson as well as vote on bylaws and resolutions. In his position, he will rub elbows with some of the most powerful Republicans in the country.

According to political experts, this is where his close friendship with the governor could result in opportunities, even though Christie has denied he is considering to run for president in 2012.

Bill Dworkin, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, said that the friendship with the governor is the most important part of Palatucci's new appointment.

"He is a trusted friend and colleague and this is just a moment when Chris Christie put in one of his closest friends and former business partner to be his representative before the national Republican committee," Dworkin said. "It means that the governor has a very, very close friend running in those circles."