RENTON, N.J. - Jon Corzine's Republican opponent for Senate tried to make money the issue yesterday, the morning after the former investment banker won the Democratic nomination by spending a record-shattering $33 million.
In a visit to a diner, GOP Representative Bob Franks adopted a strategy that didn't work for Corzine's opponent - Jim Florio, former New Jersey governor - in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
''What is truly dangerous about Jon Corzine isn't the fact that he spent 30 million of his own dollars to buy the Democratic Party nomination,'' Franks said. ''What's truly dangerous is the prospect of Jon Corzine sitting in the US Senate having the authority to spend our money.''
Corzine outspent Florio 10-to-1 in the Democratic primary and scored a decisive victory Tuesday, winning 58 percent to 42 percent. In a four-man Republican field, Franks narrowly beat state Senator William Gormley, 36 percent to 34 percent.
With the November election five months away, Corzine has already smashed the US record for spending on a Senate race, set in 1994 by California Republican Michael Huffington.
During the closing days of the primary campaign, Florio had accused the Wall Street millionaire of trying to buy the election and conduct a ''hostile corporate takeover'' of the Democratic Party.
During his morning stops at train stations in Summit and Jersey City, Corzine stood by his call for an activist federal government. He said he would have the government provide universal access to health insurance, nursing-home care, and free education from pre-school to college.
''We're going to get down to the debate about issues,'' said Corzine, who is worth $400 million and will not say how much he is willing to spend on the general election. ''There will be a lot of clarification, and I think we'll identify with the public very well.''
Senator Robert Torricelli of New Jersey, head of the Democratic campaign effort for Senate this year, insisted Corzine can play a role ''in a more moderate Democratic Party, with a new credibility on issues of taxes and spending.''
But Governor Christie Whitman, a Republican who once planned to seek the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Frank Lautenberg, said people will reject Corzine's ideas once they learn the cost. She said Franks needs to press Corzine on ''how he's going to pay for all those wonderful-sounding programs.''
In contrast with Corzine, Franks is one of the more checkbook-challenged of New Jersey's House members. According to his most recent financial disclosure statement, Franks's major assets were two bank accounts, each under $15,000, along with less than $100,000 in a federal thrift savings plan.
Corzine's spending was clearly on Franks's mind during a large chunk of his victory speech.
''If he has such little regard for his own money, what regard will he have for yours, and your children's, and your parents'?'' Franks said.
New Jersey was one of six states that held primaries Tuesday.
In Montana, State Auditor Mark O'Keefe, a Democrat, and Lieutenant Governor Judy Martz, a Republican, were nominated to succeed GOP Governor Marc Racicot, who is barred from seeking a third term. Democratic farmer Brian Schweitzer, who vowed to embarass Congress into doing something to lower the cost of prescription medicine, was nominated to take on Senator Conrad Burns, a Republican trying for a third term.
