Fred Scalera

Nutley Commissioner Joe Scarpelli

In a legislative district where some Republicans sense opportunity, Nutley Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli says he does not intend to run for the Assembly this year in the 36th.

“You can rule it out, I’m not interested,” the Republican commissioner told PolitickerNJ.com. “I’m happy doing what I’m doing.

Scarpelli earned a seat on the commission last year, taking over for his father, former Mayor Peter Scarpelli, who retired from elected office.

Sources say Nutley Mayor Joanne Cocchiola likewise does not intend to pursue a run for the Assembly, while Nutley businessman Carmen Pio Costa remains interested but has not yet formally declared his intentions.

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Gov. Jon Corzine is expected to seek re-election to a second term in 2009.

Look for former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to file papers this month as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor.   The former federal prosecutor is expected to become the establishment GOP candidate in a primary against former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, the leader of the conservative wing of the New Jersey GOP.   Two other candidates, Assemblyman Richard Merkt and Franklin Township Mayor Brian D. Levine, are also mulling gubernatorial bids.

Incumbent Jon Corzine is expected to seek a second term as Governor, and is likely to run unopposed in the Democratic primary.  Not since Brendan Byrne faced nine rivals, including two Congressmen and a member of his own cabinet, in 1977 has a sitting Governor faced serious opposition for the nomination of his or her own party.  Corizne has struggled to win the approval of voters, but he's a Democrat in a very blue state, and he is expected to spend a huge amount of money to get re-elected.  It will be hard for any Republican to beat him.

If budget issues or e-mails make it impossible for Corzine to continue his race, look for a spirited Democratic primary with Senate President (and former Governor) Richard Codey as the front runner.

New Jerseyans will elect a Lieutenant Governor for the first time in 2009.  The new state law requires the winners of the major party gubernatorial primaries to pick a running mate, much like vice presidential candidates are designated after a presidential nominee is picked.

SCHAER/SCALERA MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON ASSEMBLY PASSAGE OF BILL TO PREVENT REPEAT OF ENCAP DISASTER

Measure Would Protect Public from Being Financially Liable in Future Public/Private Deals Gone Bad

(TRENTON) - Assemblymen Gary S. Schaer and Fred Scalera today issued a multimedia package on legislation they sponsored to enhance the protections and oversight surrounding public investments in private redevelopment projects.  It was passed today by the General Assembly.

ASSEMBLY PASSES SCHAER/SCALERA BILL
CRAFTED TO PREVENT REPEAT OF ENCAP DISASTER
Measure Would Protect Public from Being Financially Liable
In Future Public/Private Deals Gone Bad

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Gary S. Schaer and Fred Scalera sponsored to enhance the protections and oversight surrounding public investments in private redevelopment projects was passed today by the General Assembly.

SCALERA, NJ HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS COMPARE STRATEGIES WITH SWEDISH COUNTERPARTS

Share Best Practices & Discuss Security Difficulties at All Levels

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Essex) today issued a multimedia package on his meeting with select members of the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

SCALERA/SCHAER HELP IMMERSE NUTLEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Legislators Hosted Members of the Republican and Democratic Clubs During Latest Voting Session

(TRENTON) - Assemblymen Fred Scalera and Gary S. Schaer (both D-Bergen/Essex/Passaic) today released a multimedia package highlighting their efforts to educate high school students on the legislative process.

COMMITTEE CLEARS SCALERA/LAMPITT BILL REQUIRING SCHOOL SECURITY DRILLS

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Fred Scalera and Pamela Lampitt sponsored to require school security drills to improve emergency preparedness was released today by an Assembly committee.

State law requires most public schools to conduct two fire drills per month, but the bill (A-3002) aims to improve readiness at public and private schools by requiring one monthly fire drill and one monthly security drill.

ASSEMBLY DEMS APPLAUD INCREASE TO HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE FUNDING

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Wayne P. DeAngelo, Fred Scalera, Joan M. Quigley, Annette Quijano, and Nellie Pou today commended the swift response of Governor Jon S. Corzine and the state Department of Community Affairs in enacting the recommendations of legislation (AR-165) they sponsored to allow more working families to receive help paying their heating bills this winter.

BILL SEEKING TO HELP RESIDENTS PAY HOME HEATING BILLS APPROVED

(TRENTON) –Legislation to push the federal government to allow more low-income households to receive help paying home heating costs has been approved 78-1 by the Assembly.

The measure (AR165) urges the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to take all administrative steps necessary to increase the annual income eligibility level for receiving assistance under the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.