Rice won't challenge Payne this year
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterDispelling rumors that have persisted since he came into office, West Ward Councilman Ron Rice, Jr., on Wednesday said he would not challenge 10-term U.S. Rep. Donald Payne in 2008.
"I have a great deal of respect for U.S. Rep. Payne and I think he’s an outstanding congressman," said Rice, who has served a year and a half in office on the Newark City Council.
A key ally of Mayor Cory Booker’s ever since the two ran together and lost in 2002, then ran and won in 2006, Rice said he is focused on his job as councilman. But he didn’t deny he was interested in running for Congress at a later date.
"2008 is not the year for a congressional run," the councilman said.
When Booker aligned with the North Ward Democratic Organization last year to help defeat Payne’s older brother, Assemblyman William Payne, in the latter’s state Senate bid, Booker’s machine appeared poised to next take on the congressman.
But Booker would have to do so without Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, who made it clear after the Democratic Party’s victory over William Payne that he was done fighting the Payne family as he heartily endorsed the congressman’s re-election, and this year he would have to do so without Rice.
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