Dana Redd

NEWARK – Veteran Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Newark) said he has had several sit-downs with Gov. Jon Corzine to make certain women and minorities are an integral part of the federal aid package, which Rice fears could turn into a labor free-for-all that would little benefit low-income District 28 constituents.

“As a Democrat I’m asked to fight for construction trades contracts but then those projects don’t include women and minorities, and all I’m saying is when we start really distributing this aid from the feds, we better pay attention to Latinos, our African Americans and women – you follow me? Because historically with projects like these, there has not been that inclusion. 

“We’re in a tough cycle economy,” added Rice, who infuriated the AFL-CIO when he abstained on last year's Paid Family Leave Act vote. “This is real in terms of the downside: 12-13-14 % unemployment in Newark, but I want to make sure we are part of the stimulus, and the Black Caucus will continue to meet with the governor to collectively drive that issue home.”

TRENTON - Senator Dana Redd today called on Trenton Establishment Republicans to put forward a balanced budget, as required by New Jersey’s Constitution.

CAMDEN - The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today held its first Fiscal Year 2010 public hearing at Rutgers Camden Law School.  Present were Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison and Former New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Deborah Poritz.   The Committee heard testimony from students from Camden's LEAP Academy University Charter School, representatives of the State's mental health and disabled communities, as well the State's gaming industry.   "The testimony we heard today came from residents from all walks of life," said Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations panel.  "I think that this budget will be different than in past years simply because of the current economic climate.  It is the responsibility of this Committee, and of our colleagues, in both the Senate and the Assembly to make sure that the needs of residents are met.  This year we'll have to do more with less, but I am confident that we will be able to maintain the key programs on which some of our neediest residents have come to rely."

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) will not seek re-election to an eighth term this year.  A formal announcement is expected today.  Cruz-Perez, 48, was first elected to the Assembly in a 1995 special election convention to replace Wayne Bryant, who moved up to the State Senate.  She ran for Mayor of Camden in 2005, but lost to incumbent Gwendolyn Faison.

The vacancy on the Democratic ticket in the Democratic-dominated fifth district is likely to be the second this year.  State Sen. Dana Redd is almost a shoo-in to win election as Camden Mayor, which will result in a vacant State Senate seat in January. 

Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison

South Jersey sources report that Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison tonight announced she would not run for reelection in June, and endorsed the mayoral candidacy of state Sen. Dana Redd.

Appointed mayor after the scandalous collapse of her predecessor, elected in 2001 and then reelected in 2005, the 82-year old Faison made her announcement at a state management forum in the Malandra Hall Community Center.

Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison with Speaker Joe Roberts, left, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison is scheduled to announce her intentions regarding the mayor’s race this evening at a forum on state management in the city’s Fairview section.

Heading toward a June primary election, much of the Democratic Party apparatus stands behind state Sen. Dana Redd’s mayoral candidacy, political heft underscored by the stage presence of some of Redd’s backers at her formal declaration earlier this month. 

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Hoboken), U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights), Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden), and Newark Mayor Cory Booker among others, all endorsed the 40-year old freshman state senator.

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights)

CAMDEN - Nearly a year after his crash and burn run for U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) may still possess statewide fever, especially if a comment he made this weekend to PolitickerNJ.com proves to have deeper resonance in an unfolding campaign cycle.

"You'll be seeing me up north again soon," said Andrews, who last year made numerous forays into Bayonne, Newark, Woodbridge and Jersey City in an unsuccessful attempt to take down incumbent U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) in the Democratic Primary.

The congressman attended Saturday's campaign kickoff of longtime friend and ally, state Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden), who is running for Camden mayor.

For months prior to her decision to go after the mayor's job, Redd was many political insiders' pick as a lieutenant governor candidate on a ticket with Gov. Jon Corzine.

Mayoral candidate/state Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden)

CAMDEN - Ensconsed in the trappings of Democratic Party power, hometown hero state Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden), whose parents were the victims of a double homicide when she was eight years old, today announced her candidacy for mayor with a promise to bring a crime-beleagured city back to waterfront glory. 

"Let's put an end to the petty, counter-productive bickering, no more fighting, ward against ward, black against Hispanic. I'm declaring it today, it is over," said Redd in an atmosphere still energized by President Barack Obama's Jan. 20th swearing-in and his call for national unity.  

The 40-year old Camden native entered the race with the blessing if not official backing of incumbent Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, 82, who stood briefly onstage and appeared to be just bucked up enough to make some “Camden first” comments in the face of party leaders who respectfully acknowledged Faison’s service before firmly throwing whatever heft they have behind rising star Redd. 

"I'm the mayor that made Camden work," an almost defiant-sounding Faison said. "I'm here today because the city is bigger than me. My heart is with Camden. ...I am here to support anyone who will help the City of Camden. That is my statement."

She said she had intended to declare her intentions regarding her political future at a Feb. 23rd press conference, and gently made it known that Redd's presser today pre-empted her own plans somewhat.

State Sen. Dana Redd (D-Camden) seems like the favorite to become the next Mayor of Camden.

Camden City Councilman Gilbert “Whip” Wilson won’t run for Mayor this year and will back Dana Redd, a State Senator and City Councilwoman, for the post.  Wilson lost a bid to unseat incumbent Gwendolyn Faison in 2005.