Bill Caruso

On an evening when heavy hearts filled the dugout, the Assembly Democrats' softball team rode a tidal wave of emotion in routing the Senate Democrats 21-10 in the first round of the Golden Dome League playoffs.

The victory was sweet revenge to an Assembly team that suffered defeat at the hands of their rivals from the other chamber during the regular season. However, while the Assembly could view that loss as a temporary setback, the Senate's loss last night was permanent, signaling the end to their season.

"This team was able to step up when it mattered most to restore the Legislature's softball world to its rightful order," said Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts. "Just as in their day-to-day work, there is no quit in this team. This is a group that knows how to fight until the fight is done and that winners need to be magnanimous in victory. I am so proud of this team's class."

The win came less than 12-hours after Speaker Roberts, who was named honorary team captain before the game, announced he would not seek re-election November.

'We are determined to give the Speaker one last championship and tonight this team showed that it plays best when it plays from the heart,' said team coach Lauren Repole. 'From top to bottom our lineup came through at the plate and in the field. This team has tons of fight left and does not plan to rest on its laurels.'

Much like the voting in Chicago, the Assembly Democrats' scoring came early and often. The 'Killer Jims' -- Jim Jefferson and Jim Schultz -- underlined the consistent offensive attack with inside-the-park home runs. The Assembly's tenacious efforts were further evidenced when Jillian Dempsey hustled-out a routine grounder, fearlessly colliding with the first baseman and knocking the ball loose.

BILL CARUSO NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE

Speaker Names Veteran Congressional Staffer to Replace Departing Bill Castner

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today announced Bill Castner will leave his post as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office in January and will be succeeded by Bill Caruso, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews’ longtime chief of staff.

Caruso will become the office’s eighth executive director. Castner is joining one of New Jersey’s premier law firms, Gibbons P.C., as a Director.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts is expected to announce tomorrow that Bill Castner will leave his post as Executive Director of the Assembly Majority Office in January and will be succeeded Bill Caruso, Congressman Rob Andrews' long-time chief of staff. 

Lautenberg district director Steve Lenox, Andrews chief Bill Caruso, and Democrats 2000 executive board member Elizabeth Meyers

SEA GIRT - It was a happy political scene to walk into there in the basement of the Parker House last night, as Obama button-clad volunteers with clipboards approached Hudson County political operatives and asked them if they wanted to sign on to help with the campaign.

Some of the latter were onetime Hillary Clinton backers for whom the change-up to Obama is a painful perhaps but ultimately natural function of primary politics.

They didn’t need the enthusiastic prodding of volunteers to get them to go there.

"We’re already on board," said Jason O’Donnell, chairman of the Bayonne City Regular Democratic Organization.

Incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg isn’t happy that Camille Andrews has been selected to fill the ballot spot that her husband, Rep. Rob Andrews, is vacating to run a primary against Lautenberg.

“This doesn't pass the smell test -- at all,” said Lautenberg Campaign Manager Brendan Gill in a statement. “New Jersey needs a Senator who will fight on behalf of the people of this state everyday -- not someone who plays games with the voters to protect his local political boss, George Norcross. Like much of the Andrews campaign so far, this latest maneuver demonstrates the old school politics that the voters of New Jersey are sick and tired of."

Rep. Rob Andrews is making his second bid for statewide office, challenging Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic Senate primary

As he launches a primary campaign for Sen. Frank Lautenberg's seat, Rep. Rob Andrews says he’s less prickly than he was 11 years ago when his failed campaign for governor left him holding grudges and questioning the value of a man's word.

The congressman from Camden was bothered by then-Essex County Chairman Thomas Giblin’s 1997 decision to withdraw his support for Andrews to instead back north Jersey product James E. McGreevey for Governor.

“I took it personally and that was my mistake,” said Andrews, 50, who felt vindicated but no less intensely frustrated after McGreevey’s spectacular fall.

“Someone who might have backed McGreevey and not me was not a bad person,” Andrews said.

“He is a foolish person,” the congressman added, “but not a bad person.”

Rep. Rob Andrews is still mulling a challenge to Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the Democratic primary. Filing deadline: 4/7
Bill Caruso, spokesman for Rep. Rob Andrews, issued the following statement as Andrews continued to probe the possibility of a primary run against U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

"He is extremely grateful and encouraged by the support he is receiving," Caruso said of the south Jersey congressman. "He is continuing to assess the situation and is consulting with Democrats around the state."

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg announced his bid for a fifth term today: Getty Images Photo
TRENTON - A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews said the south Jersey congressman would not be attending today's campaign kickoff for U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

"He has a previously scheduled family obligation," spokesman Bill Caruso said of the congressman.

Asked if Andrews plans to endorse Lautenberg, Caruso said, "We're dedicated to a strong and unified Democratic Party."

When asked if this means Andrews is behind Lautenberg, Caruso said, "I'm going to leave it at my first statement."

REP ANDREWS CALLS ON BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO HALT WIRETAPPING PROGRAM

URGES USE OF FISA COURT

For Immediate Release

Contact: Josh Freed 202-225-650/ Bill Caruso 856-546-6438

May 25, 2006

Rep. Andrews to Introduce Plan to Secure Vets’ Personal Information

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) announced he will be introducing legislation that provides a solution to the recent privacy disaster at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) involving the lost personal information of as many as 26.5 million veterans.

“This theft is a massive breach of security, and represents the largest unauthorized disclosure of Social Security data in our country’s history,� said Rep. Andrews. “My bill would require the VA to immediately create a national database of veterans that assigns each individual a four-digit personal identification number (pin) code. This pin would act like the security code on the back of your credit card and provide an additional level of security for verifying a veteran’s identity.�

Identity theft is a significant problem facing every American. Because of the recent breach of security of VA records, millions of our bravest Americans are now vulnerable. Rep. Andrews’ legislation would secure their information by creating a personal identification number that entities extending credits or loans to veterans would be required to verify before authorizing the transactions. If the entity failed to check the pin code, it would be required to pay all attorney fees and damages to the veteran harmed by this failure

-30-