Stack endorses Sweeney for Senate President
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
State Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Union City) today issued his endorsement of South Jersey state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) to serve as senate president.
“I am confident in Senator Sweeney’s ability to lead the Senate, as we prepare to address matters that are critical to the residents of New Jersey," Stack said in a statement.
“Senator Sweeney has demonstrated both strong leadership and sound judgment during his tenure as Democratic Majority Leader, and I am certain that he will make an outstanding Senate President as he continues to fight for the families of our State. His prominent record as a labor leader conveys his understanding of the needs of New Jerseyans at a time when it is particularly important for working families to have their interests represented in the Statehouse."
An ally of powerful South Jersey Democrat George Norcross III, Sweeney is challenging Senate President (and former Governor) Richard Codey (D-Roseland).
“I remain impressed by Senator Sweeney’s ability to work alongside members of both parties, reflecting a desire to achieve common goals that are in the best interest of the citizenry," said Stack.
“I recognize Senate President Codey’s service as admirable, but I am excited by the potential of a fresh perspective in the Senate as we look forward to addressing major issues such as jumpstarting the regional economy.”
A wildcard senator and Union City mayor, Stack controls his own political machine in the 33rd District, but has a relationship with Norcross which the two men strengthened in Stack's 2007 senate campaign. Norcross helped Stack with resources as the latter warred with the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) and ulitmately defeated their machine.
A former assemblyman, Stack's first official act in the upper house was to back Sweeney for Senate President. He later infuriated Norcross partisans and South Jersey allies hoping for his support in the 2008 U.S. Senate primary when he backed incumbent U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) over Norcross-backed challenger U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights).
The endorsement was part of Stack's effort to restore peace with the HCDO - which supported Lautenberg - and helped short-circuit Andrews's senate bid.
Relations consequently cooled between the maverick mayor/senator and the boss from down south, but with the bridge-building help of Senate Minority Whip Kevin O'Toole (R-Cedar Grove) and Sweeney himsef, now Stack again stands with South Jersey in this devleping fight for Senate leadership.
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Sacco v Stack
Hmmm... one of them will get a good chairmanship and the other gets a big plate of nothing. Codey... the guy who is overstaying his welcome.
Surprised!
I swore he would of backed Codey, shut me up lol. I guess it's smart to make peace with Norcross, especially if he ever wants to make a run Statewide.
Seven down ,Five to go
Sweeney now has the six votes from the South and Stack. Cunningham? Buono? Ruiz? None are Codey people. Codey has never done a thing for Gill,would she vote for Sweeney in return for a good Chairmanship position? The key still will be Lesniak.
Stack's Sugar Daddy
Has Stack paid off his campaign debt yet from his war with the HCDO? I doubt it.
Stack must have a sugar daddy in South Jersey ready to pay that off for him cause Codey won't help him.
Wow
Sweeney really doesn't have the votes if he's coming out with his backers this early.
Don't Write Codey's epitaph just yet
Dick Codey hasn't survived as a politician for 40 years because he's stupid.
He is one of the smartest pols in the statehouse.
Don't count him out just yet
A Generational Change?
While much has been made of the North vs. South division among Democrats in considering who should be the next Senate President, I think the generational question is somewhat a factor as well. Dick Codey is in his early 60s (one month older than Gov. Corzine in fact) and there are a number of Ds in their 40s and early 50s who aspire to leadership positions. Sweeney, Buono and Stack are closer in age to one another than to Codey and Sweeney's ascension to Senate President will allow him to place his contemporaries into Committee Leadership positions, thus raising their profiles for future office. If Chris Christie becomes Governor (a fair assumption at this point in time), Sweeney becoming Senate President primes him for a run for Governor in 2013. Or perhaps Ms. Buono, a very smart lady and state budget guru, could be positioned for a run in 2013. Dick Codey is a survivor but he is the sole remaining D State Legislator from the class of 1974 and he will realize at some point his time has passed.
That's a Big Endorsement
Stack is a dynamo in Union City and that's big for Sweeney. It never appeared that Codey had the balls to fight for he should have been the Governor instead of Jonnie Boy. Lesniak will lean towards Sweeney beyond a doubt! Norcross wins in the end with Sweeney and Cryan...Corzine is history and his legacy is back to Wall Street where he can manager more loosers.
My question is - why would
My question is - why would the senators be willing to have George Norcross control the entire state of NJ? Does that mean we will have a dictator running this state behind the scenes?