BREAKING: Judge's decision reverses Speight seating on Newark City Council
By Max Pizarro | December 11th, 2012 - 11:35am
| More

Responding to a challenge by West Ward Councilman Ronald C. Rice and other council people, a judge this morning ruled that the Newark City Council did not technically record a tie vote and so therefore threw out the legitimacy of how Mayor Cory Booker and the council sat At-Large Councilwoman Shanique Speight.

The decision by Judge Dennis Carey renders the council seat vacant.

Addressing a council seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10), Booker allies argued that a tie by statute required the mayor to act as the tiebreaker. But Rice, Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif and their allies said Rice’s and Sharif’s abstentions did not count toward a tie vote.

Carey this morning ruled that the vote remains four yes, two no, and two abstentions. There was no tie, leaving the council seat open.

“The judge was very specific,” said Rice. “He read the statutes and the court rules together and he came lock stock and barrel to where we were on this. An abstention did not constitute a vote toward a tie. The judge made it so clear, there is no basis for an appeal. This ruling adds substance and guidance to other towns.”

Speight was Booker Team’s counter to John Sharpe James, the son of former Mayor Sharpe James, a dedicated Booker political enemy.

“The saddest part about this is that Speight was a pawn for their short-term agenda,” Rice said. “People in Newark are tired of the smiles and grins and talk of progressive politics. That is why today’s decision resonates loudly and strongly.” 

The seat remains vacant until a November general election.

The news landed inopportunely for Booker, while the political universe awaits his decision regarding a run for governor.

Booker’s allies absorbed the blow of the court news without any indication that their local world has imploded.  Team Booker would have liked to run Speight as an incumbent, but figure the court case now gives them even terrain – plus an ally, albeit probably a wobbly one.

Their reasoning is that by initially seating Speight at the very least they prevented James from getting placed on the council. They also corralled At-Large Councilman Louie Quintana away from the four African American council people who back James, setting up an opportunity for an alliance.

Quintana is notoriously fickle, however. It was not immediately clear who he would support in a citywide head to head between Speight (if she is indeed the candidate) and John Sharpe James.

The Back Room

I got you babe...

Presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Barbara Buono today released an internet ad featuring cameos from a couple of Bono's and a Cuomo.

Read More >

Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest - May 20, 2013

Dems warn Christie will tack right if re-elected ATLANTIC CITY – Democratic Party officials came together in Southern Jersey Friday evening to rally behind the state lawmaker set to challenge Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Sen. Barbara Buono was surrounded in Atlantic City by top party officials who say it’s...

Op-Ed

Time to have the talk we hope to avoid but can’t

By Tedford J. Taylor No topic is a less likely conversation-starter than our eventual deaths. Still, there is a lot to talk about. When polled, about 90 percent of people presented with end-of-life scenarios prefer the prospect of dying at home with... Read More >

Contributors

Chris Christie's recent "Lap Band" weight-loss surgery scoop remains the talk of the nation.... more »
(5-15-2013) Interpretation of Election Laws Should Further Aims of Democracy - Five Hoboken residents, obviously orchestrated, filed a lawsuit raising concerns about Carmelo Garcia’s eligibility... more »
Au Revoir, PolitickerNJ.com         Recently, I have been writing fewer columns as a contributing columnist for PolitickerNJ.com.  The reason:  I am busily involved with writing a new book.  The... more »
Women in Politics In 2013 men still earn disproportionally more than women, on average 30%... more »

Quote of the Day

Quote of the day

"The frustration is she might as well have named Joe Cryan her choice for state party chair because Jason O'Donnell is simply a beard for Joe Cryan." - State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3).

- PolitickerNJ.com

Poll

How do you grade Buono's choice for state party chair?
A. I'm a Republican, so GREAT!!
25%
A. Outstanding. Exemplary leader: firefighter, family man, Democrat with a capital D!
25%
B. Good guy, a decent choice - not great.
13%
C. A good guy - even great guy - kneecapped by awful politics all around.
25%
D. A poor choice.
0%
F. A disaster. Expect Democrats to endure HUGE losses in November.
13%

Resources

Visit the PolitickerNJ.com/resources page for links to the best collection of information on New Jersey state government.

 

  • Polls
  • The best blogs
  • Columnists
  • State election results
  • Assembly election results
  • Local party websites
  • And more.

PolitickerNJ.com/resources