Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON is “leading fundraising efforts in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut” for former Massachusetts Gov. MITT ROMNEY’s presidential campaign, and said that he “would not rule out running for public office” himself, according to Jenny Vrentas of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Johnson and Jets Exec VP/Business Operations MATT HIGGINS last summer “met with several would-be candidates coveting his support,” and “after a summer trip to Romney’s lake house in New Hampshire and dinner at Del Frisco’s steakhouse in New York, Johnson was on board.” Johnson “considers his role to be an ‘ombudsman’ or a ‘facilitator,’ bridging Romney and the voting public.” Johnson most weeks speaks with Romney “at least five times.” Johnson said of running for public office, "That kind of depends. I’m open to looking at it, but I haven’t set my sights on any specific avenue yet." MIKE DUHAIME, chief strategist for New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE’s gubernatorial campaign, said of Johnson, "Because of his high profile and because he’s so well-known, some think he could immediately run for U.S. Senate." Johnson said that “it would be possible” to still own the Jets and hold public office, but that another member of the family might have to “become more involved” with the team (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/10).
