McNerney holds out for Weinberg for LG

State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) never had a cozy relationship with the bulk of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, but County Executive Dennis McNerney says she’s by far his favorite choice for lieutenant governor.

“I think Bergen County definitely needs representation. It would be great if we had more representation in Trenton, and lieutenant governor --  since it’s the first one -- it should start off in Bergen County,” he said.  

McNerney was tight with the county’s former Democratic chairman, Joe Ferriero, whose feuds with Weinberg lasted until Ferriero's September indictment.  In 2007, McNerney's appointment by the Governor to a commission charged with studying small town consolidation was held up by Weinberg, who was upset at state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-ridge) for refusing to support her preferred pick for the state Board of Education.  

But McNerney, who grew up in Weinberg's home town of Teaneck, said that he’s never had a problem with her.

“Everyone’s like we’re from a different background. I think you’re confusing me with Joe Ferriero,” he said, adding that the Ferriero days “are long gone.”  

There’s a lot of debate about whether the pick for lieutenant governor will make any difference to voters.  But McNerney thinks it will – at least in Bergen, which is the most populous county in New Jersey.

“If you’re looking at a 30,000 vote swing and you’ve got to make it up somewhere en the state, Bergen County is the place to do it,” he said.