Esther Fletcher

Assemblyman John Rooney says he may retireAfter serving in the Legislature since 1983, Republican Assemblyman John Rooney calls himself the Dean of the Assembly, having been there longer than any other current member.

But a combination of health issues and weariness of the way he says business is done in Trenton today has led Rooney to consider retirement, even after he won a solid victory in last month’s hotly contested election. Rooney, who at 68 is the youngest of the three 39th district legislators, will evaluate his political future after undergoing hip replacement surgery later this month. Depending on how his recovery goes, he may decide to retire early or not to seek another term in 2009.

Reflecting on his legislative record over the last 25 years, Rooney admitted that the current state of Trenton politics had him dispirited. And he had already been dealt a painful blow in 2006, after a well-funded Democrat tossed him out of the Northvale’s mayor’s office – a seat that he had held from 1979-1986, and again from 1991 until his defeat.

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.

Former First Lady Mary Jo Codey doesn't get involved in many political campaigns -- it's been about two years since she went stumping for candidates.  But last night, Codey went to Bergen County to headline a fundraising event for River Edge Councilwoman Esther Fletcher, one of the Democratic Assembly candidate in the 39th district against incumbents Charlotte Vandervalk and John Rooney.  Also in attendance: Freeholder Connie Wagner, who just won the Democratic nomination for Bob Gordon's open Assembly seat in the 38th.

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?”

If Connie Wagner is successful in her bid for the State Assembly, there will be no shortage of potential candidates to replace her in January.  A short list includes: Bergen County Improvement Authority Commissioner Cid Wilson, who was seeking an Assembly seat in the 37th district earlier this year, but withdrew when the party united behind the incumbents; Fort Lee Council President (and Acting Mayor) Ila Kasofsky; Rev. Vernon Walton, a former Englewood Councilman; Little Ferry Councilman Thomas Sarlo, the brother of State Senator Paul Sarlo; Bergen County Improvement Authority Chairman Ronald O'Malley, and former Assemblyman (and Hackensack Police Chief) Ken Zisa.  

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