No longer mayor, Vas's future uncertain

Joe Vas’ eighteen-year tenure as mayor of Perth Amboy came to an end today, and he’s not ready to say if he’ll seek re-election to a fourth term in the State Assembly next year.

“That’s a lifetime away. A lot of opportunities are in front of me and I’m not rushing to make any decisions today, nor do I have to,” Vas said.

Still, despite reeling from a lopsided upset in Perth Amboy, Vas may have strengthened his hold on his Assembly seat – should he choose to run again -- by becoming the Democratic municipal chairman for Perth Amboy.

Still, assuming he decides to seek reelection, the support of his two running mates, State Sen. Joe Vitale and Assemblyman John Wisniewski, is not definite. Both offered warm statements about Vas, but neither would make any commitments this early on.

“Joe’s the incumbent and should be given full consideration for reelection. He’s done a great job for the district,” said Vitale.

Wisniewski, for his part, skillfully side-stepped making a commitment.

“In the 19th district we have a county committee process where we have a convention where the committeemen and women have a convention on the candidates are,” he said. “That’s many, many months before that process, and since my first election in 1993 I stand by that committee process. Each candidate makes his pitch to the committee and the committee makes the vote.”

Even Rep. Albio Sires (D-13), who fended off a challenge by Vas in 2006, wouldn’t say anything about Vas’s future.

“I take the fifth,” he said.