Philly Inquirer: Runyan's opponent has better grasp of the issues

Former Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan (R) was passed over by the Philadelphia Inquirer, which opted to endorse Navy veteran Justin Murphy (R). The paper's editorial board made the pick because Murphy "seems to have a better grasp of the issues before Congress."

The two Republicans are vying for the nod to face Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.), who is a top target for the GOP.

Runyan is one of the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" prospects, but his campaign has faltered recently after details emerged about a 1995 drunken-driving arrest.

Still, the Inquirer doesn't have a perfect record of picking primary winners — it backed Sen. Arlen Specter over Rep. Joe Sestak in the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary. Sestak subsequently defeated Specter last Tuesday.

The New Jersey primary is June 8.