Bergen County Democratic Organization

Three potential candidates for Governor in 2009 worked the Chamber of Commerce train to Washington today: Congressman Rob Andrews, Morris County Freeholder John Murphy, and Assemblyman Bill Baroni. A potential fourth statewide candidate of the future, Newark mayoral candidate Cory Booker, worked the train as hard as anyone else.

The presumed GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, Tom Kean, had a fairly significant train presence, albeit one with some crisis of identity: volunteers at Union Station stood under a banner saying "Senator Tom Kean Welcomes You to Washington," and handed out buttons that said "Tom Kean, Jr. for U.S. Senate.

The Bergen County Democratic Organization is unofficially backing Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes in his bid for Loretta Weinberg's Assembly seat against Freeholder Valerie Vainieri Huttle. Until a few hours ago, Wildes has been a fervant foe of County Chairman Joseph Ferriero.

One Democrat not likely to be pleased with Ferriero's blessing of Wildes' candidacy is State Senator Paul Sarlo. If Congressman Steven Rothman runs for U.S. Senate in 2008, both Sarlo and Wildes want his House seat. A legislative seat will allow Wildes to expand his geographic base.

If the New Jersey Supreme Court declines to overturn Judge Peter Doyne's ruling in the 37th district State Senate race, a Special Democratic Convention will be held on Thursday to replace Loretta Weinberg as one of the Democratic candidates for State Assembly on the November general election ballot. Former Assemblyman Ken Zisa, who led Weinberg by one vote after the September 15th special election convention, is expected to be the Bergen County Democratic Organization's candidate. Weinberg is backing Freeholder Valierie Vainieri Huttle.

There is still some question as to whether a Special Election Convention will be held as well. Weinberg will withdraw from the Assembly race to run for Senate, but she does not necessarily need to resign her seat until she is sworn in as a State Senator. The Senate is not scheduled to meet again until after the election.