'McCain Cockroach' Wins NJPMA Race

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — “It was over so fast,” said Len Douglen, executive director of the New Jersey Pest Management Association. “The McCain cockroach ran the length of the track in under five seconds, while the Obama cockroach appeared to be reluctant to even leave the opening gate.”

The Cook College campus of Rutgers University was the scene of Thursday's “Presidential Cockroach Race” sponsored by the NJPMA. It marked the 14th “Roach Derby” and, in election years, individual roaches are designated to represent candidates. Cockroaches designated Republican and Democrat were stand-ins for the as yet unknown vice president candidates. The GOP cockroach won that race.

Two giant Madagascar ‘Hissing’ Roaches, an Obama and a McCain surrogate, raced down a six-foot long Plexiglas track to the cheers of some of the more than 600 pest control industry observers. Larger by two or three times the average American or German cockroach, the Madagascar species are often used in Hollywood films as well.

The noontime event took place during the 61st annual Clinic and tradeshow sponsored by the association. Some of the nation’s leading authorities on insect and rodent pest problems presented lectures on topics such as bed bugs, termites, mice and rats.