# Bill Spadea

William G. Spadea (born March 25, 1969) is an American businessman and former radio and television host from New Jersey, who was the Republican nominee for United States Congress in New Jersey's 12th congressional district in 2004. He was Chairman of the College Republican National Committee (1993–95) and was the host of Chasing News. Spadea is a former Republican congressional candidate who became a strong supporter of Donald Trump, before changing his position in 2021, and eventually supporting Trump again by 2024. He has spread misinformation about the 2020 election and vaccines.
Bill Spadea founded the Common Sense Club, a non-profit that aims to reduce the size of government and promote fiscal conservatism. Spadea's leadership of the Common Sense Club has been criticized, as the organization contributed less than one percent of the money it raised to support candidates.
On June 17, 2024, he announced his candidacy for the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election. On, January 30, 2025, he gave up his radio show on NJ 101.5 to focus on his campaign.

## Background

Spadea graduated from Boston University in 1991. He is a former United States Marine receiving an honorable discharge in 1999. Spadea served as the elected Chairman of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC). During his term, the Republican National Committee discontinued funding for the College Republicans.

## CRNC Chairmanship

Spadea began a nationwide program to register students with the CRNC. The use of the standard form for recruitment of College Republicans started during his term from 1993 through 1995 and helped the CRNC to get a grasp on its total membership. He kept contact with the membership through a national newspaper titled the Broadside, which was delivered to tens of thousands of College Republicans across the country. Spadea assisted the hundreds of youth efforts that helped elect a Republican Congress for the first time over 40 years in 1994.

## Political campaigns and career

Running a grassroots campaign that included walking 200 miles to each of 44 towns in the district, he polled over 40% of the vote on election day and was ranked 17th out of 157 GOP challengers nationwide.
Spadea was successful in raising more money than any other Republican challenger in New Jersey in 2004. He was considered a possible candidate for the United States Senate in 2006. Spadea served as a surrogate speaker for former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in New Jersey.
In 2012, Spadea ran for the state legislature, running for the 16th District's Assembly seat that was vacant after the death of Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi. In the convention to appoint a replacement, he lost by a three to one margin, earning 52 votes, behind Readington Township Committeewoman Donna Simon with 155 votes.
Spadea lost both of his political campaigns, failing to top 40% of the vote either time.
Spadea has also started a political action committee called Elect Common Sense, an independent expenditure organization named Common Sense Wins, and a nonprofit called the Common Sense Club, in support of conservative policies and "common sense" Republican candidates.
Spadea hinted that he would seek the 2025 GOP nomination for NJ Governor in late 2022, and announced in June 2024 that he is running. Spadea debated three other leading candidates in the Republican primary for the gubernatorial race on February 4th 2025.

## Broadcasting

Beginning in December 2015, Spadea has been the morning drive time host on New Jersey 101.5 (WKXW), replacing long time morning personality Jim Gearhart, while continuing to host the Chasing News television show until its end in 2020. He left the show to run for Governor of New Jersey in January of 2025.

## Positions

In June 2018, Spadea advocated for a state constitutional amendment to revoke the Mount Laurel doctrine, arguing the imposition of unnecessary housing development increased tax burdens unfairly.
Spadea was outspoken and critical of the handling of the pandemic by Governor Murphy in New Jersey, specifically the lockdowns and other mandates. Spadea also emceed a December event hosted by the New York Young Republicans whose attendees included white nationalists.
Spadea has been criticized by some for his on-air advocacy against the need for COVID-19 vaccination and other routine vaccinations in New Jersey. In 2020 Spadea has commented on-air that people should stop wearing masks because, "they don't work and make you look stupid", which lead to some listeners to file complaints with the FCC.

## Personal life

From 1999 to 2013, Spadea worked as a corporate vice president for education and career development in the real estate industry for Weichert, Realtors. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife and their two children.