PERTH AMBOY - Local level jockeying is already underway in advance of next year's mayoral and muncipal contests. Included below are some of the more intriguing prospects: 

Paterson

Two-term Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres projects an understanding of politics as a pragmatic undertaking, and speaks of the coming campaign with no change of tone, teeth-grinding rancor or demagogic speechifying. For Torres, Council President Jeffrey Jones, Councilman Andre Sayegh and former Police Chief Larrry Spagnola are obstacles.

In the mayor's eyes, the councilmen may prove worthy one day of becoming mayor, but they're too young and inexperienced and lack the business acumen necessary to helm New Jersey's third biggest city.

A former Marine, Jones has a built-in base of African American support. Last week he told PolitickerNJ.com he recognizes his challenge in fighting the perception mostly stirred up by his political antagonists that he is simply the black candidate in the race.

If Torres suffers from headlines that depict him as a heartless pay-to-play machine intent on development to the exclusion of other city problems, Jones's critics say he's good in attack mode but sometimes does not follow up with alternatives.

As for Sayegh, the inspirational Booker-speak and snappy one-liners contribute to a charismatic presence - and citywide political reach the councilman built as head of a coalition of nonprofit organizations - but the Ward 6 wunderkind has reached that stage of his career where, like Jones, voters will be waiting to hear detailed blueprint contrasts to the Torres model.  

The big issues: crime and taxes.

Newark

Running for a second term, Mayor Cory Booker faces an old school and potentially game but mostly low key challenger in former municipal Judge Clifford Minor. Observers don't give Minor much more than a very long shot against the Booker glamor brand, but say the challenger could seize advantage of the economic downturn and prod a panicked Booker at the very least into protective battle mode.

The real contest may be in the South Ward, where Councilman Oscar James II faces a fierce challenge from community activist/school principal Ras Baraka.

The East Ward may prove contentious, too, where Councilman Augusto Amador looks to relegate the ubiquitous Ironbound face of businessman Peter Pantoliano (plastered everywhere as a self promotional springboard into next year's race) to the fading wall sign relics of yesteryear.

As a heavy favorite in a city that thrives on political intrigue and machination, anything short of Booker coattailing in his entire slate will be spun street level as a mayoral humiliation.

The issues?

See Paterson, above.

Trenton

Twenty-year Mayor Doug Palmer's plans to retire at the end of next year opened the floodgates of challengers intent on succeeding the capital city's first African American exec.

Councilwoman Annette Lartigue kicked off her campaign on Saturday, six days after Councilman Manny Segura launched his own bid. Just days before that, former Freeholder Tony Mack went live. School Board Vice President Alex Brown and city Public Works Director Eric Jackson were already in the contest.

This past week, businessman Emmanuel Shahid Watson ben Avraham said he is probing a run.

And PolitickerNJ.com ascertained the coming candidacies of Council President Paul Pintella and Freeholder Keith Hamilton.

The real news here heading into next year will be who among the Trenton power elite is not running for mayor.

Long Branch

A veteran of two decades in the top dog's chair, Mayor Adam Schneider wants another term in office, but must first get through an aggressive adversary in the person of Councilman Brian Unger.

Schneider thinks he already quelled the fervor caused by his exertion of eminent domain to begin redevelopment of the Green Wave's ghost town waterfront.

But Unger intends to make the case that Schneider has been a big developers' mayor who forgot the working people.

Irvington

Two-term Mayor Wayne Smith will face a challenge from North Ward nemesis Councilman David Lyons, who barely scraped out a 2008 ward win over detective Gene Etchison but will have the backing of state Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Newark).

West Orange

Veteran Mayor John McKeon told PolitickerNJ.com in October that it's time to move on from the mayor's post in this suburban town of changing demographics.

Barring a reversal as he eyes Sen. Richard Codey's (D-Newark) faded fortunes higher up the 27th District totem pole and considers protecting his hometown political base in anticipation of energized County Executive Joe DiVincenzo allies looking to branch out, McKeon will tend to his law practice and his Assembly seat, and attempt to be the Democrats' lower house go-to guy on environmental issues.

Local Democratic Party Chair John Skarbnick is unlikely to seek the mayor's seat, which makes Councilman Rob Parisi the favorite to succeed McKeon. 

But again, if the mayor feels sufficiently squeezed into political no-man's land because of the changed terrain, he could jump back into the mix.

Unlikely, but expedient.