Carl Manna

Back from Portugal, Governor Jon Corzine has added four extra stops to his schedule today – all in the 39th district, where Democrats think they have a shot at ousting three longtime Republican legislators.

Corzine, who was in Bergen County earlier this morning for a Bergen County Democratic Organization breakfast and two labor rallies, will return at 4:15 PM for stops in Northvale, Old Tappan, Emerson and Demarest.

The Record has endorsed Democrat Joseph Ariyan for State Senator over GOP incumbent Gerald Cardinale and backed Democrat Esther Fletcher for Assembly over incumbent Republican John Rooney. They endorsed GOP Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk. READ

There were a few jabs in the 39th district Assembly debate this evening at Bergen County Community College, but it was positively civil compared to what turned out to be a row between Democratic State Senate candidate Joe Ariyan and incumbent Sen. Gerald Cardindale.

The two Senate candidates sparred about what it means to be friends with Dick Codey, corruption, stem cell research, wheeling of campaign funds, and accepting trips to Florida paid for by the banking industry.

There was an awkward moment at the Dumont Street Festival today.

Democratic Assembly candidate Carl Manna was walking along Madison Avenue with a couple supporters when he ran into his opponents, State Sen. Gerald Cardinale and Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk, surrounded by an entourage of four youth wearing red campaign shirts.

“Sen. Cardinale! Welcome to Dumont,” said Manna, reaching out to shake the incumbents’ hands.

“Glad to see you’re out working,” responded Cardinale.

The District 39 Republicans’ first television advertisement has raised the ire of their Democratic opponents.

The ad, which is currently airing, insinuates that Democratic state Senate candidate Joe Ariyan received three appointed public jobs after donating thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates. Ariyan is Bergen County’s Public Advocate for Land Use, a public defender in Hillside and commissioner of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority.

“Joe Ariyan gave tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions then got 3 taxpayer paid jobs,” said the ad. “Pay to play contributions?”

The New Jersey Education Association’s PAC played it pretty safe with its endorsements, choosing mostly incumbents. But in the 39th district, the union backed an entire slate of Democratic challengers against three Republican incumbents.

“We’re excited and proud that NJEA has agreed to endorse the full slate,” said Jennifer Chirco, the campaign manager for the 39th district Democrats. “We value the association and really appreciate them lending their support

The teachers’ union picked Democrat Joe Ariyan for state Senate, along with Esther Fletcher and Carl Manna for Assembly. Not getting the nod were state Sen. Gerald Cardinale, Assemblyman John Rooney and Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk.

FOR RELEASE: Immediate

DATE: 6/28/2007

CONTACT: Jennifer Chirco

In the once rock solid Republican Bergen County, the Democrats have a new target: the 39th district.

It may at first not seem like a realistic choice for a battle -- the district hasn’t had a Democratic state representative since 1981, and its three current Republican legislators have occupied their seats for a political eternity. State Senator Gerald Cardinale and Assemblyman John Rooney have both served for well over 20 years, and assembly woman Charlotte Vandervalk has served since 1991.

But the Democrats have put up new blood and are expected to throw some serious money into this race. Joe Ariyan, the state Senate candidate, is the county’s Public Advocate for Land Use and has never held a competitive elected office, but he clocks in at a relatively young age of 39 and is said to have already raised $140,000.

The Democratic legislative candidates in the 39th district kicked off their campaign today, calling for the defeat of three longtime Republican legislators.

Joseph Ariyan, Bergen County’s Public Advocate for Land Use, is challenging long-time GOP State Sen. Gerald Cardinale.

Joined by the district’s Democratic assembly candidates -- River Edge Councilwoman Esther Fletcher and Dumont Councilman Carl Manna -- Ariyan talked optimistically about Democrats’ chances in this traditionally Republican district.