Steve Lonegan wouldn’t say whether or not he’s running, but an email to supporters obtained by InsiderNJ says he is planning to enter the race. | AP Photo Lonegan to announce plans for congressional run on Thursday

Steve Lonegan is plotting another run for office.

The conservative firebrand who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for governor in 2005 and 2009, and for Congress in South Jersey’s 3rd District in 2014, and who was the GOP standard-bearer against Cory Booker for U.S. Senate in 2013 — is poised to announce another run for Congress, this time in his native 5th District in North Jersey.


Democrat Josh Gottheimer is less than one year into his first term after defeating Republican incumbent Scott Garrett in November.

The announcement is set for the Marriott Courtyard on Route 17 in Paramus at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Lonegan said in a phone interview.

Lonegan wouldn’t say whether or not he’s running, but an email to supporters obtained by InsiderNJ says he is planning to enter the race. With the notable exception of comedian Joe Piscopo earlier this year, potential candidates for office don’t typically hold press conferences to announce they’re not running.

“But I’m important,” Lonegan joked to POLITICO.