January 19, 2007 - 7:59pm
News

Munoz woes could mean battle in 21st

Allegations that GOP Assemblyman Eric Munoz may have perjured himself while providing expert testimony in a Delaware medical malpractice case could affect an upcoming Assembly leadership contest, and in his bid for re-election this fall.

Munoz had been considered a likely candidate for Minority Whip, if Frank Blee wins a Special Election Convention to replace Bill Gormley in the State Senate.

The 21st district is Republican-leaning, but challenges to Munoz's personal ethics -- he was among the GOP surrogates who criticized Bob Menendez in the recent U.S. Senate campaign -- could result in renewed interest by the Democrats. One potential candidate is Jordan Glatt, the Democratic Mayor of Summit and a favorite of Governor Jon Corzine. If Munoz does not seek re-election, or if Republicans seek to replace him on a ticket that will be headed by State Senator Thomas Kean, Jr., Union County GOP Chairman Philip Morin, a former Mayor of Cranford, could emerge as the leading candidate.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.