If Rothman ever moves up, he would do so with Kasparian's support, says new chair
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
HACKENSACK - New Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO) Chairman Michael Kasparian said he would support U.S. Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) should Rothman at some time in the future see an opportunity to pursue a run for a vacant U.S. Senate seat.
"If he ever ran for Senate, he would have my support," Kasparian told PolitickerNJ.com. "I am all about Bergen."
The remark came to a question within the context of some statewide intra-party wrangling that goes back to last year's U.S. Senate primary.
When then-BCDO Chairman Joe Ferriero appeared poised to endorse U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights), Rothman moved quickly.
Rather than conspiring with South Jersey to topple U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park), Rothman believed the Bergen County party chairman should refrain from endorsing until a vacancy occured.
Of course, as a congressman from Bergen County, Rothman hoped that in such circumstances, he would be in a favorable position to win the county chairman's endorsement for U.S. Senate.
He helped prevent Ferriero from backing Andrews, thereby assisting the reelection of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park).
But with Ferriero's departure this month to face federal corruption charges and the arrival to the chairmanship of Michael Kasparian, sources close to Rothman say he wanted assurance he could depend on Kasparian's backing in the future in the event the congressman sees an oppurtunity to run for the Senate.
Well-positioned with money and his congressional record to make his own move in the event of a U.S. Senate vacancy, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) also enjoys a good relationship with the Armenian community, according to Bergen sources.
Concern among Rothman allies was that the Pallone connection could translate into the Monmouth County politician gaining an edge with Kasparian, who insists that his ethnic community is one group and his party affiliation another.
The new chairman reiterated his position on the matter.
"We're friends," Kasparian said of Pallone. "But I'm all about Bergen."
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