State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden) says she has not been asked about running for Lt. Governor on Jon Corzine’s ticket, and intends to continue her bid for Mayor of Camden.  The first term legislator and Democratic State Vice Chair won the Democratic primary for Mayor in June.

"While I appreciate the kind thoughts about my political future, let me put any speculation to rest: I am running full speed ahead for Mayor in the great City of Camden. I have not been asked by anyone about running for the office of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, nor have I ever pursued this position,” Redd said in a statement released today. “I have made my commitment to the people of Camden crystal clear. Moving our City forward is my number one priority -- from breaking the cycle of dependence to better schools and safer neighborhoods.”

“I remain steadfast in my support of Governor Corzine and his re-election bid. This Governor has been a true friend to Camden and the entire South Jersey region and for that he has my unequivocal support. I look forward to working with him in his second term as Camden's next mayor,” said Redd.

State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden)

Sources close to Gov. Jon Corzine have said for months now that he won't pick a white male for lieutenant governor.

Not enough balance.

A week ago three names seemed fairly solid in a firmament that nevertheless shifts daily: state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells.

If the first two were white, they were women, at least. But the fact that they weren't males wasn't the only obvious jump-off-the-page quality they shared.

Both women had reputations as elected officials who wouldn't easily get pushed around. 

Weinberg earned a rep - and endeared herself in the process to Corzine - as an enemy of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, while Buono aggressively sought the budget chairmanship despite efforts by leadership to install somebody more pliant.

Sen. Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester)

Insiders say recurring signs indicate state Sen. Majority Leader Steve Sweeney's (D-West Deptford) ready to challenge state Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) for leadership in November, although Sweeney insists he doesn't know for sure at present.

"Discussions will take place in November," said the South Jersey lawmaker, whose remarks this morning in a 101.5 FM interview that he wants to be senate president "someday" instantly sent reporters' into fullbore Sweeney-seeking mode.

Sources close to Sweeney say there's a strong chance he will challenge the former governor for control of the caucus this year, and political animals add up the following as proof that he's inches away from that battle:  

He threw a bash in Atlantic City at the same time Codey partied with supporters;

He spoke at Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo's fundraiser;

He hauled up to Jersey City for a state Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-Jersey City) fundraiser;

REDD-STACK BILL TO ALLOW COUNTIES TO CREATE TRUST FUND TO AID HOMELESS APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Dana L. Redd and Brian P. Stack which would permit county governments to adopt homelessness housing plans to address the housing needs of the homeless within their municipalities has been approved by the Senate today by a vote of 30-6.

“As the global economic crisis continues to have a major impact on the communities and neighborhoods of New Jersey, unfortunately more State residents are unable to make ends meet,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester. “With unemployment and homelessness rates on the rise, we have to do something to make sure that the most vulnerable people within our communities get the food and shelter they need to survive. We cannot turn our backs on the plight of the homeless, and must do everything we can to make sure they get the basic services they need to get by.”

State Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton)

TRENTON - Confronting a tableful of testifying labor backers who agree that the State Legislature should lean on Washington, D.C., to create universal healthcare, state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton) stepped gingerly.

The longtime labor-friendly lawmaker noted his support of the Paid Family Leave Act, which passed in the state Senate despite every Republican except Baroni voting"no."

But today he raised a question aimed at the underpinnings of the opposition party when he said, "Barack Obama opposes single-payer healthcare. Is he wrong?"

Laughter filled the chamber as people waited for the answer.

The senator followed up with a "just wondering" question about whether Obama's rejection of single-payer healtchcare means he is too conservative on this issue.

VITALE-REDD BILL TO CODIFY VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE PROGRAM FOR ABUSED CHILDREN APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Dana Redd which would codify an existing Statewide program to allow judges to appoint volunteer advocates on behalf of children under 18 who have been removed from their homes due to child abuse or neglect was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0.

“The CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) program has been one of the success stories in ensuring abused and neglected kids get the support they need through the courts,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “However, many CASA volunteers have run into road-blocks in their efforts to advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable kids, due to the lack of statutory authority. Through this legislation, we are empowering CASA volunteers to act on a child’s best interest, and creating safeguards against abuse of the program.”

State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden) took exception with Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan’s idea to bulldoze some of Camden’s most run down neighborhoods, going as far as to call it “Naziesque.”  

“Steven Lonegan’s brazen attempt to degrade the city of Camden and everyone who lives and works there with Naziesque ‘wisecracks’ about bulldozing our community is a poor reflection on him and on the entire Republican Party,” Redd said. “He crossed the line of decency when he told the Courier-Post editorial board that his plan for revitalizing Camden was to uproot an entire community.”

The Lonegan comments were reported in a Courier-Post story published this morning that detailed his meeting with the newspaper’s editorial board.

Redd, who is also a councilwoman in Camden and the vice chair of the Democratic State Committee, is running to become mayor of the beleaguered city. 

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Dana L. Redd and Brian P. Stack which would permit county governments to adopt homelessness housing plans to address the housing needs of the homeless within their municipalities has been approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

            “The sad reality is, as more and more jobs are lost, the homeless population will continue to increase,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester.  “This legislation would give counties the right to create a blueprint for how to identify and address the needs of their homeless population, as well as create a trust fund to help offset the costs of emergency room, hospital care and other social services often associated with homelessness. We have to look out for the needs and well-being of all segments of our population.”

            “This legislation would help to address the needs of the homeless populations around the State,” said Senator Stack, D-Hudson.  “In many cases, the problems of homelessness are more far reaching than simply not having a place to live.  Through the task forces, these residents would be able to receive other much-needed care and services to help them transition into being able to support themselves and their families.”

REDD BILL TO REQUIRE COLLEGES TO PREPARE DISASTER PLANS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Dana Redd which would require colleges in New Jersey to develop and coordinate comprehensive disaster preparedness plans for a number of potential emergencies, including pandemics, was approved by the Senate Education Committee today by a vote of 3-0.

“During a period of global unrest and uncertainty, public institutions are still being called on to meet the educational needs of our college students,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Rather than wait for tragedy to strike – as it did two years ago during the Virginia Tech shooting, or almost a decade ago with the Seton Hall fire – we must coordinate with college leaders and emergency response and homeland security officials to develop practical emergency response plans. Students and their parents should be given full assurances that New Jersey’s colleges are safe learning environments, and that if the unthinkable should happen, there is a plan to protect the student body.”

PolitickerNJ.com has prepared a Casualty List for the New Jersey Legislature for each year since 2001.

Fourteen-term Republican John Rooney, the senior member of the State Assembly, becomes the fifth legislator not seeking re-election in 2009.  Three Assemblymen are seeking another office: Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) is running for Governor; Michael Doherty (R-Washington) is seeking State Senate seat; and L. Harvey Smith (D-Jersey City) is a candidate for Mayor. Assemblywoman Sandra Love (D-Gloucester Township) is retiring. And Eric Munoz (R-Summit) passed away earlier this month at the age of 61.