February 1, 2008 - 5:41am
News

Campaign event places Orange mayoral rivals on same stage

 

Eldridge Hawkins Jr.Eldridge Hawkins Jr.Senate President Richard Codey’s Obama endorsement on Thursday brought out the City of Orange’s two main rivals to succeed Mayor Mims Hackett: Councilman Donald Page and Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.

Son of former Assemblyman Eldridge Hawkins, who was Codey’s running mate in the 1970s, Hawkins said he had attended the event on invitations from Codey and Orange Councilman Hassan Abdul-Rasheed.

"The fact that you can have two mayoral opponents on the same stage is a testament to how Obama transcends local politics," said Hawkins. "I’m running for mayor on a theme of unification for a better Orange, in a similar spirit as Obama’s theme of uniting the country."

A one-time challenger to Codey’s senate seat, Page questioned Hawkins’ legitimate right to stand on the stage with elected officials and Obama delegate candidates.

"I think he’s just seeking publicity," said Page, who is a delegate candidate for Obama in the same district in which Codey’s name will appear on the ballot as a delegate candidate for former Sen. John Edwards.

Following the ceremony, Abdul-Rasheed introduced Hawkins to Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who told the candidate he is happy to see a young person running to be the next mayor of Orange.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.