The best feud ever
By Wally EdgePolitical feuds don't get much better than the one between Republican State Senator James Turner and Democratic Assemblyman Kenneth Gewertz in Gloucester County in the early 1970's. Turner was so determined to destroy his rival that he conspired to plant drugs in Gewertz's car and garage. But the tactic went bad after the police detective sensed that the tip he received from Turner might not be completely altruistic. An investigation led to Turner's arrest on charges that he hired three known criminals to plant a large amount of amphetamines in the Gewertz home. A jury convicted the 44-year-old Turner in less than two hours and he was sentenced to five years in prison.
Turner was removed from the Senate after his conviction, but refused to drop his bid for re-election to a second term in 1973. Gloucester County Republicans withdrew their endorsement and ran Sheriff Walter Fish as a write-in candidate after a Superior Court Judge rebuffed their bid to remove him from the ballot. The seat was an easy pickup for the Democrats: Raymond Zane, a Gloucester County Freeholder, defeated Turner by a wide margin. (Turner still managed to get more than 20% of the vote.)
Gewertz, perhaps one of the most colorful men to ever serve in the New Jersey Legislature, was able to keep his seat until Democrats finally dumped him in 1979.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
Richard LaRossa
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
Back in 1974, when NYC was facing a mounting financial crisis, then-Mayor Abe Beame went to then-President Ford and asked for financial help from ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Runyan, now a Charger, announces NJ-3 congressional bid
- Wisniewski to make formal play for state party chair when Cryan makes departure official
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Goldstein leads 250 marriage equality activists for march on the Statehouse
- Stack: HCDO leaders need to put organization in order before trying to take out Cunningham
- Senate Democrats back Sweeney for senate president, says Sarlo
- Runyan, now a Charger, announces NJ-3 congressional bid
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Caruso says he had nothing to do with robocall
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Lesniak: bring gay marraige up for a vote
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Spicuzzo nomination passes committee
- Qpac poll: voters support public worker wage freezes, layoffs
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
“A lot of blood on the floor.” - Senate President Dick Codey (D-Roseland), emerging from the caucus room after losing his leadership position to Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford)
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 25 2009
Syndicate
