In what amounts to a solid coup for the incumbent, Paterson Second Ward Councilman Aslon Goow said he won't run for mayor again next year and likely won't back anyone who runs against Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres. 

A fierce, longstanding antagonist of Torres's who was defeated in the 2002 mayor's race and in 2008 withstood an onslaught by the Torres political machine, Goow stopped just short of completely embracing the mayor today in a conversation with PolitickerNJ.com.

"I think the mayor we have now is moving the city forward ahead in the right direction," said Goow, who has a civil rights lawsuit pending against the city that stems from an incident in which the citizen lawmaker spearheaded a car pursuit of burglary suspects beyond city limits.

"Whether I get behind him or endorse him down the road is another story," added Goow, who lives in the same ward as Torres. 

"It is what it is. He's addressing public safety and complying with my recommendations for new fire trucks. We've invested millions in fire equipment, which resulted in Paterson being named the number one fire department in the country for response time. We've got a new canine unit now, a gun detection unit. This mayor has hired more police officers and promoted more police officers than anyone. We have a new radio command center and cameras throughout the city. He's on top it, let me tell you. We've had renovation of fields and parks, more roads repaved under this guy, the Route 20 corridor, and downtown redevelopment with the City Center project and Loews and Home Depot."

So far, Council President Jeffrey Jones and Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh are the two formally declared challengers to Torres in the 2010 mayor's race.

Most observers figure the 2010 Paterson mayor's race will feature at least a two-man showdown between incumbent Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and Council President Jeffrey Jones.

If he decides to run, Torres would be aiming for his third term as mayor. 

An ex-Marine and college professor, Jones has served on the city council since 1996 and announced his 2010 citywide candidacy as early as last year.

Assuming Torres runs, the intriguing question is who will be the third person to step forward to try to mount a credible campaign.

Sixth Ward Councilman Andre Sayegh today told PolitickerNJ.com that he may be the man to find an opening between Torres's Puerto Rican base and Jones's African American base for a play at the affections of the whole city as a new generation unity candidate.

Passaic County Democrats will have a lot on their plate over the next few months as they decide who to run for two Freeholder seats and if they'll back embattled County Clerk Karen Brown for re-election.  Democrats expect two Freeholders, Sonia Rosado and James Gallagher, not to run again - at least in the case of Gallagher, not as a Democrat. 

Brown won the post five years ago when she ousted two-term incumbent Ronni Nochimson by a 54%-46% margin.  Nochimson, who was the last Republican to hold countywide office in Passaic County, switched parties in 2006 and has said he wants to run for her old job as a Democrat.  Brown has a strong ally in U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, but will have a tough time convincing Democratic County Chairman John Currie and some of the Democratic Freeholders to support her.

Woodland Park Councilman Keith Kazmark, who is the Elmwood Park Municipal Clerk, is also reportedly interested in running for County Clerk.  Kazmark is a former Democratic political operative with strong ties to party leaders across the county.

PATERSON - The campaign of Councilman Aslon Goow reported goodWard Two Councilman Aslon Goow and ally Millie Mulero GOTV efforts as around 500 voters across the 2nd Ward turned out to vote as of this afternoon.

"We're strong in our areas, including the Hillcrest neighborhood and the senior buildings," said Goow campaign spokesman Ryan Yacco.

Goow is trying to fend off Elizabeth Rosado, wife of former Councilman Jerry Luis Rosado and an ally of Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres.

Mason contractor John Larko is also challenging.

PATERSON - Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale jumped intoCouncilman Aslon Goow Paterson municipal politics over the weekend, publicly endorsing Ward 2 Councilman Aslon Goow, chair of the council's public safety committee and a vocal critic of Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres.

Speziale's picture and declaration of confidence appeared on a Goow mail piece that hits the streets in Ward 2.

"Goow is the only (council) candidate the sheriff is endorsing," said Goow campaign spokesman Ryan Yacco. 

Yacco says the endorsement is significant, particulalry in the Hillcrest section of the ward.

A two-term concilman, Goow is running against John Larko and Elizabeth Rosado.

Rosado has  the public support of Mayor Torres.   

PATERSON - As recently as last month, Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres wasMayor Jose "Joey" Torres coy about whether he would publicly get into the Elizabeth Rosadorace against his adversary, Ward Two Councilman Aslon Goow.

"I don't know if a mayor should endorse," the mayor mused, later threatening to get into the contest  if Goow continued his public assault against his record as mayor. 

Today, Torres officially got in the game, lending his voice in a robocall to the cause of Goow challenger Elizabeth Rosado, wife of longtime Torres ally, former Councilman Jerry Luis Rosado. 

Goow, a two-term incumbent, is trying to fend off challenges from both Rosado and mason contractor John Larko. 

After battling all evening, Ward Two challengers John Larko and Elizabeth Rosado came together for a photo.

PATERSON - While his opponents sought to depict him as a cowboy, Ward Two Councilman Aslon Goow in a debate at Passaic County Community College tonight argued that he puts his combativeness to work for the city.

"They all talk about professionalism, decorum," said Goow. "We shut down the mayor’s brother’s liquor store, and kicked gangs off of Union Avenue and Jackson Avenue. The Second Ward has the lowest crime rate in the city, and has an aggressive representative.

"Don’t let them con you," he added.

Challengers Elizabeth Rosado, wife of seven months of former Councilman Jerry Luis Rosado; and mason contractor John Larko fought each other as much as they tag-teamed in an effort to weaken the two-term incumbent.

Paterson Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres 

PATERSON - Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres has not publicly endorsed anyone for city council, but today he said he may get into the Ward 2 tousle if he feels it becomes a matter of having to punch back.

"As the highest vote-getter in the last two elections, I hope most people are with me," said Torres, who on Saturday appeared at the Great Falls with U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA.) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8).

Ward Two Councilman Aslon Goow and ally Millie Mulero

PATERSON - Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and Councilman Aslon Goow live close to each other in the same ward but they're hardly close friends. Their long-time rivalry has made them enemies and defines the city's political landscape.

This year as Goow, a private eye and Paterson native, is trying to win a third term on the council, and his opponents are either in Torres’s camp or champion the mayor’s issues.

Goow, the Ward Two Councilman, needs to defeat Elizabeth Gonzalez and John Larko to keep his seat, but he is nursing his own ambition to be mayor.

Fifth Ward Councilman Juan Torres

PATERSON - He's been in some tough Paterson scraps, but this year's could be the toughest for Fifth Ward Councilman Juan Torres.

The winner against Virtudes Sanchez in 2000 and 2004, Torres now faces a challenge from Julio Tavarez, a 31-year old Dominican immigrant who teaches technology at Public School 15 and is the founder of patersononline.net.