August 27, 2009 - 3:36pm
News

Sources: Kenny poised to drop LD 19 bid

Sources say Woodbridge Councilman Charles Kenny plans today to drop his bid to represent the Democratic Party as a candidate for the vacant 19 Legislative District seat.

Kenny and fellow Woodbridge resident Craig Coughlin, a recently retired Edison Muncipal Judge, met this morning at the office of Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac - a meeting sources say resulted in Kenny backing down from his intentions of running.

Kenny earlier this week told PolitickerNJ.com that he anticipated prevailing on Coughlin to back him so that Woodbridge could go at least partially united into next Wednesday's special convention held by the Middlesex County Democratic Organization.  

Kenny's departure leaves Coughlin - resident of the town holding the most county committee votes - retired Superior Court Judge Mathias Rodriguez of Perth Amboy, and health care professional Jean Pierce, who's also of Woodbridge but lacks Coughlin and Rodriguez's political ties.

"There are several good candidates in the race and I have no doubt the candidate who prevails in November will be a Democrat," said Mayor John McCormac, who won't publicly endorse anyone but who appears to be backing Coughlin.

South Amboy Mayor John T. O'Leary, a McCormac ally, has said publicly that he backs Coughlin.

Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz supports Rodriguez. 

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.