Anthony Bucco

Editor's note: State Senator Anthony Bucco says he is "definitely seeking re-election" to the State Senate in 2007, and reports that he unsuccessfully challenged Leonard Lance for Minority Leader at the Senate Republican reogranization meeting last week.

Anthony Bucco's loss to Leonard Lance for Senate Minority Leader last week is leading some Morris County Republicans to think that the 67-year-old Bucco might not seek a fourth term in 2007. That would mean both of Morris County's Senate seats would be open in the next election.

If Bucco were to retire, there is no shortage of potential candidates to replace him: Assemblymen Michael Patrick Carroll and Richard Merkt and Freeholders John Murphy (who carried the district handily in his '05 run for Governor) and Freehold John Inglesino, the former Mayor of Rockaway. Murphy could find an interim stint in the Senate helpful toward his expected '09 gubernatorial campaign, if he were able to clear the field -- but a divisive primary, win or lose, could threaten his Morris County base. One Morris GOP insider said Murphy would be unlikely to run for the Assembly if Carroll and/or Merkt ran for Senate. Inglesino would emerge as the leading contender for an open Assembly seat.

Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio is the favorite to win the 26th district Senate seat, where Robert Martin is retiring. Candidates are already lining up for the open Assembly seat: Jay Webber, who challenged Martin in the '03 primary; Richard DeAngelis, a former Morris County Republican Committee Executive Director who managed Murphy's campaign for Governor; Kinnelon Councilman Larry Casha, who ran against Pennacchio in a 2001 Special Election Convention; and Florham Park Councilman Joseph Morano.

There are four potential leadership fights worth watching over the next few weeks:

1. Assembly Democrats: It looks like Joseph Roberts has the votes to become the next Speaker, but there is a spirited contest for Majority Leader between Wilfredo Caraballo and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Caraballo's running mate, William Payne, has told Democratic leaders he will support Watson Coleman.

2. Senate Republicans: Minority Leader Leonard Lance, who has been largely AWOL for most of this year, could face a challenge for a second term, possibly from Anthony Bucco, a Morris County conservative who was Majority Leader from 2002 to 2004.

3. Assembly Republicans: Guy Gregg may face a challenge for a second term as Republican Conference Leader from Peter Biondi.

4. Senate Democrats: If Richard Codey winds up in the United States Senate, look for a real race for Senate President. The current Majority Leader, Bernard Kenny (who is also the Hudson County Democratic Chairman) would want to move up -- creating another contest for Majority Leader -- but could face competition from Joseph Vitale, Paul Sarlo, Stephen Sweeney , Nia Gill or John Adler.

Merkt & Carroll once again in the extreme minority Voting against Morris County
Just another example of the incumbent's failure to work with the moderates in their own party to fight for the interests of Morris County residents

Schindler Applauds Codey, Questions Opponents Accountability on Education

Governor signed new bipartisan law to monitor progress of school districts which her opponents voted against

25th District Assembly Candidate Janice Schindler, applauded Governor Codey and the State Legislature on the signing into law of S-1431 which establishes the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJCQSAC), a new state monitoring system for public school districts. This legislation was a bipartisan effort which had support from legislators from both sides of the aisle, including Senator Martha Bark (R) and our Senator Anthony Bucco (R) as prime sponsors.

PRE-PAID GAS CARDS WILL HELP KEEP PRICES STABLE
Pre-Paid Cards Will Help Smooth Price Spikes During Natural Disasters

Senator Anthony Bucco, (R-25), has introducd legislation which would allow gasoline retailers to sell motor fuel at a price lower than the posted price if the consumer is using a pre-paid gas card, even if the price of the motor fuel is below the retailers cost. Currently, a retail dealer who sells motor fuel at a price other than the posted price, or below his cost plus all selling expenses, is in violation of the law.

A district-by-district look at the forty contests for the New Jersey State Senate to take place in November 2007: