Races done, and maybe to come: reaction on the floor to Corzine's loss

TRENTON - A few Democrats circulate in the big room here at the East Brunswick Hilton, sorting through the devastation with varying viewpoints and plans.

"It's hard for an incumbent in a recession," U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) says after lame duck Gov. Jon Corzine leaves the stage.

"Jon did a good job as governor, but the economic times are bad," Pallone adds. "That's all it comes down to. The economic times were bad, but we're on our way back."

There's Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland), who endured his own drama this fall in which he apparently emerged on the losing end.

There are some grumbles as he approaches about how his opponent, Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) should have delayed taking the fight to Codey until after the gubernatorial election.

Asked if he's going to run for governor in 2013, Codey tells PolitickerNJ.com, "It's a serious possibility."

Now here comes Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville).

There were some days during the campaign when he sweated it out, but he won with little difficulty ultimately.

"The people re-elected 47 out of 48 Democrats," says Wisniewski. "While we're very sad at the governor's loss, the fact that almost all our Democrats returned to office was an affirmation of the policies we have pursued and the leadership of Joe Roberts."

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo says Corzine just left the building.

"Politics," he says with finality.

Trenton Councilman Manny Segura, asked about next year's mayor race, says, "Yes, I'm running."