Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes today said he would not challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman as long as Rothman has the organization line in Bergen County.
“I would need the party support to go forward,” said Wildes, an ally of Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) Chairman Joseph Ferriero, who yesterday issued a statement of support for U.S. Frank Lautenberg.
Earlier in the week, Rothman had threatened Ferriero with legal action if the chairman removed Lautenberg from Bergen’s line A on the ballot to replace him with U.S. Rep Rob Andrews, who this week jumped in the Democratic primary against Lautenberg.
In the scrap between Ferriero and Rothman, BCDO allies floated Wildes’s name as a potential opponent of Rothman’s in the event of an all out county war.
Today Wildes said, “If the opportunity presents itself, I would do it. The vacancy would have to create itself. Rothman has the line. Without that I can’t go.”
Asked if Wildes would go against Rothman in an open primary, the mayor would not speculate, but sources close to the mayor said petitions are being circulated on Wildes’s behalf - just in case.
“I will reserve comment on an open primary,” Wildes said, “but politics is very fluid, and you always have to be prepared. This mayor has got wheels on his heels.”
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
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 ... >
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
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 ... >
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 ... >
There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >