Self-funder Bob Hugin has decided to run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, sources say, and is in the process of assembling a campaign team. He’s meeting with consultants and staff and preparing for an announcement in his bid to take on U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
The 63-year-old executive chairman of Celgene, a major pharmaceutical and biotech company in New Jersey, has never run for office before. But he’s been a major donor to Republican candidates for more than a decade and was a top contributor to Gov. Chris Christie and Donald Trump in their presidential campaigns.
Hugin has been calling party leaders, but has made no public appearances. That, sources say, is expected to change rapidly within the next week or so.