Jack Conners

South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, as a potential candidate for State Senator in the seventh district.  Mazzarelli is reportedly testing the waters for a 2011 Senate bid against four-term Republican Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park).  Allen could step down earlier to concentrate on her courageous fight against an aggressive form of cancer, a move that would trigger a November 2011 special election.  Mazzarelli joins Assemblymen Herbert Conaway (D-Delanco) and Jack Conners (D-Pennsauken), and carpenters union official Troy Singleton as potential candidates.

In addition to   being a physician, Mazzarelli is also a bioethicist. Though he's mainly stayed behind the scenes, he's has been the de-facto leader of a group of emerging civic leaders in Camden and Burlington Counties.   He was also recently recognized as one of South Jersey's top physicians under 40 by Philly. One thing that may stand in the way of   getting him to run, however, is his independence. He proudly   proclaims his moderation on his weekend Philadelphia talk radio show   where he is known for presenting both sides of the major issues.   Still he is said to be an ally of South Jersey political leader George   Norcross, who is Chairman of Cooper Hospital, and he helped raise  money for Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

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The decision of Assemblyman Herbert Conaway (D-Delanco) to run for Burlington County Democratic Chairman could complicate a 2010 special election for State Senator if Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) were to leave the Legislature.  Allen is battling an aggressive form of cancer and recently had surgery.  She has a tough road ahead. 

If Allen were to resign, the Republican County Committee from the seventh district towns in Burlington and Camden counties would hold a special election convention to name a new Senator.  There has been speculation that Rev. Aubrey Fenton, a minister and former Burlington County Freeholder, could take the seat.  That would set up a November 2010 special election to fill the remaining fourteen months of Allen's term - an early referendum on Republican Christopher Christie's first months as Governor in a Democratic-leaning district Allen has won five times.  It would also be an early test for the new Senate President, Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford), who topped Richard Codey largely because of the size of the South Jersey Democratic delegation.  A special election could be enormously expensive Sweeney and Democratic leader George Norcross battle the new Republican governor for a valuable Senate seat.

The high profile State Senate race would also come as U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) campaigns for a second term; there is substantial overlap between the third congressional district and the seventh legislative district. 

Three names have been prominently mentioned on the Democratic side: Conaway, Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Pennsauken), and Troy Singleton, a former Deputy Executive Director of the Assembly and now the Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters.  Singleton, who took a leave of absence this year to run Loretta Weinberg's campaign for Lt. Governor, is a favorite of Camden County Democratic leaders who are not huge fans of Conaway. Read More >

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLYMAN CONNERS HOSTS 8TH ANNUAL POW-MIA REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

Annual Event Honors POW-MIA Survivors & Families; Highlights State and National Efforts to Account for POW-MIA's of All Wars

(CINNAMINSON) - Assemblyman Jack Conners, chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, today issued a multimedia package documenting his 8th Annual POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony.

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ASSEMBLYMAN CONNERS STATEMENT ON VETERANS DAY 2009

(DELRAN) – Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Burlington/Camden) on Tuesday released the following statement on Veterans Day 2009:

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CONNERS & CONAWAY: RIVER TOWNS MUST NOT BE DREDGE DUMPING GROUND

Emphasize Long-Standing Opposition to Dredge Proposal

(DELRAN) – Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway, MD on Tuesday joined Gov. Jon S. Corzine and U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews in opposing a plan that would deposit dredge spoils from the Delaware River in New Jersey towns.

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NEW LAW SPONSORED BY CONNERS, VOSS & TUCKER WILL HELP STUDENTS WITH DIABETES

Law Allows Diabetic Students to Self-Medicate in School; Provides Training for Teachers, Aides and Bus Drivers

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Jack Conners, Joan M. Voss and Cleopatra G. Tucker to create individualized health care plans for students with diabetes and training in diabetes care for school employees was recently signed into law by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

“Diabetes is a disease that requires constant personal management,” said Conners (D-Camden/Burlington). “Until now, state law required students with diabetes to visit the school nurse for any and all medication, which was at best unfair to their education and at worst dangerous to their health.”

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New Jersey Republicans admit that there is little possibility they'll turn over control of the Assembly this year, but they have hyped their chances in some sleeper districts where they don't typically compete.

Fundraising reports released today show that some money is being raised in those purported sleeper districts, but not much. 

In the 4th District, Republicans Domenick DiCicco and Eugene Lawrence have raised $69,887 - most of which comes from attorneys all over the country.  That's about half of the $134,473 incumbent Paul Moriarty (D-Washington Twp.) and newcomer Democratic running mate Bill Collins have raised. 

"Obviously District 4 is a place where we expect to do well," said Republican State Chairman Jay Webber.

Republicans haven't talked much about District 7, which is considered a Democratic district even though GOP Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) has won there five times.  But their Assembly candidates there - Leah Arter and Harry Adams - have raised almost $90,000 and have spent $77,263 (The Assembly Republican Victory committee took enough notice to donate almost $5,000). The two Republican candidates have $12,250 on hand. 

Chris Russell, a political consultant for Arter and Adams, said the campaign against incumbents Herbert Conaway (D-Delanco) and Jack Conners (D-Pennsauken) is "under the rader." 

"We know the district is difficult, but we figure the only way to put them is position is the old fashioned way," said Russell, who cited the candidates' aggressive ground game.   "If they're in position, we'll strike, and I think right now, they're definitely outworking Conaway and Connors on the ground."

Conners and Conaway have raised a combined $196,603 and have about $53,000 on hand. 

District 14 was supposed to be one of the Republicans' top races this year, but their recruitment efforts fell through after Hamilton Councilwoman Kelly Yaede dropped out at the last minute.

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ASSEMBLYMAN CONNERS HONORS POWs & MIAs DURING ANNUAL RECOGNITION EVENT

(CINNAMINSON) – Assemblyman Jack Conners was joined Friday by about 600 veterans, invited guests and local officials as he hosted his 8th annual POW/MIA Recognition Event to honor those held prisoner in and those still missing from America’s military conflicts.

“American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action are forced to endure conditions most of us would prefer not to even think about, and the grief their loved ones have faced is immeasurable,” Conners said. “The courage of both must never be forgotten, and I am proud to hold this event each year to bring awareness to those sacrifices made for our country."

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DIEGNAN / BARNES / CONNERS / RAMOS BILL TO HELP VETERANS MAKE TRANSITION INTO CLASSROOM NOW LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Peter J. Barnes III, Jack Conners and Ruben J. Ramos Jr. to help veterans make the transition from the battlefield to the college classroom was signed into law Sunday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The law (A-3360) requires the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Veterans’ and Military Affairs, to establish the Troops to College Program.

The program will assist New Jersey’s public institutions of higher education in coordinating a comprehensive array of services to help veterans make the transition into the college classroom.

“Our veterans deserve the best, and that includes access to higher education,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “This plan would make that transition easier and is the right thing to do for those who have sacrificed their time and energy to defend our nation.”

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Joint Statement of Assemblymen Jack Conners & Herb Conaway, MD, regarding Chairman Rick Perr:

"We find ourselves very disappointed in the actions and long pattern of self-dealing of both Burlington County Democratic Committee Chairman Rick Perr and the former treasurer over whom he exercised authority.

"There has been disregard for party rules and values and grievous disloyalty shown to long-time party supporters.

"We believe the Burlington County Democratic Party needs new leadership. Mr. Perr should immediately step aside and allow for the election of a new chairman."

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