Mayor Robert Bowser: Politicker photo
Having already spread the word unofficially that he plans to pursue a fourth term in 2009, East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser tonight told PolitickerNJ.com that he's certain.
"100% sure," said Bowser, who emceed tonight's Essex County Democratic Committe party in Short Hills. "Make that 105% sure."
At the beginning of the summer, the three-term mayor and engineer by profession who has spear-headed East Orange's redevelopment, said he was about 70% certain he's running for re-election.
Word had started leaking out last spring that Bowser intended to go for a fourth term, but a potential opening as Essex County Democratic Committee chairman kept Bowser hedging for several weeks.
East Orange sources say Bowser might have foregone a fourth term had he been able to muster sufficient backing to succeed Phil Thigpen as party chairman.
But Thigpen, who hails from Bowser's home town, proved the only player in a field of rival prospects who had a friendly contact in every piece of Essex County's political territory.
In East Orange, apparently lining up on the other side on a message of youth and change, former assemblyman Willis Edwards has been building for a potential challenge to the popular Bowser.
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