John Amodeo

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield), left, and Sen. Robert Gordon (D-Paramus).

ATLANTIC CITY - The legislative leadership transmogrifications are evident at the Atlantic City Convention Center, even if the good government intentions are nowhere visible outside whatever sessions convene behind closed doors.

A lot of people are talking about Senate President Richard Codey's party last night.

"An Irish wake," is how Sierra Club Executive Director Jeff Tittel describes the event.

More than a few people note that Codey appeared unflappable - even merry.

"Personable is not personal," explains another insider. "You have to understand the Irish. Whatever he's feeling inside, however personal he's taking this, will not take away from his ability to be personable."

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-Ocean) with her daughter, Toni, a Matawan councilwoman-elect.

The Chris Christie cabinetmaking process has begun and among insiders talk inevitably turns to Republican candidates who are already out there in the public sphere with specific expertise - people like Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany), Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-Ocean) and Assemblyman John Amodeo (R-Margate), among many others.

"If Chris Christie asked me, I would take it under serious consideration," said Angelini, the executive director of a youth nonprofit whose name has surfaced early as a possibile commissioner of human services in a Christie administration.

"I'm happy where I am," added the assemblywoman, who had several reasons to celebrate last Tuesday night.

Not only did the Monmouth County-based legislator's choice for governor win, but she and her running mate Assemblyman David Rible (R-Wall) won by larger margins than two years ago, and her daughter, Toni, was elected to the Matawan Borough Council.

Toiling in the minority for the past two years with a Democratic governor in charge, Angelini said she never knew a different Trenton terrain, and is thrilled now to be a forward observer to a change in her party's favor on the executive side of government.

Election results in three South Jersey districts offer some hope to Republicans as they look to regain control of the State Senate in 2011, even as local powerhouse Stephen Sweeney moves closer to becoming the next Senate President. 

In the Atlantic County-based District 2, freshmen GOP Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vincent Polistina won re-election by more than 10,000 votes, setting up a potentially competitive State Senate race for one of them against Democrat James Whelan in two years.  Whelan ousted short-term incumbent James "Sonny" McCullough in 2007.  Christopher Christie carried Atlantic County by 2,423 votes, 49%-45%; four years ago, Jon Corzine won it by 6,535, 53%-43%.

In District 4, which includes parts of Camden and Gloucester counties, Republican Domenick DiCicco won an open State Assembly seat.  DiCicco immediately becomes the GOP's best hope to unseat Democrat Frederick Madden in the next election.  There has been considerable speculation that Madden won't seek a third term in 2011, and that Assemblyman Paul Moriarty will run for the Senate.  Christie carried the fourth district.

The Press of Atlantic City has endorsed Republican Assemblymen Vincent Polistina (R-Egg Harbor) and John Amodeo (R-Margate) for re-election to second terms.  "It's a tough choice between good candidates," the newspaper said. "Voters could be served well by any of the four candidates running."

“The passage of the Jessica Lunsford Act will send a clear message that the citizens of New Jersey are serious about protecting our children and keeping child predators off the streets,” said District 2 Freeholder Candidate Frank Formica. “Atlantic County Freeholders have a solemn responsibility in ensuring the safety of our communities for our neighbors, family and friends.”

Two '09 State Assembly races are pivotal for Republicans as they seek to win back control of the State Senate in 2011.  The GOP needs to oust Democratic Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam in the first district, with the hope that one of the newly-elected Republican legislators, perhaps Michael Donohue or John McCann, will challenge freshman Democratic State Sen. Jefferson Van Drew.  Van Drew, who runs well in GOP-dominated Cape May County, unseated Republican State Sen. Nicholas Asselta in 2007.

Republicans still see Freeholder Leonard Desiderio, the Mayor of Sea Isle, as a strong contender for the Senate.  Desiderio declined to run for the Assembly this year.  Another possible candidate is U.S. Marshal James Plousis, who is a former Cape May County Sheriff.  Plousis is currently on holdover status while U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg consider possible candidates.

The other seat the GOP wants back is in the second district, where Democrat James Whelan unseated incumbent James "Sonny" McCullough in 2007.  McCullough had won a special election convention earlier that year when Bill Gormley retired after 25 years in the Senate.  Republicans need to make sure their two freshmen Assemblymen, Vincent Polistina and John Amodeo, win re-election (they are favored), so that one of them is positioned to take on Whelan in two years.

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(OCEAN CITY, September 4) – First Legislative District GOP Assembly nominees Mike Donohue and John McCann – responding to the announcement earlier today by GOP Assemblymen Vince Polistina and John Amodeo of a 10-point program to revitalize the Atlantic City region – pledged their support for efforts to spur job growth efforts not just in the Atlantic City area, but throughout all of South Jersey.

The race for Governor is a toss-up and Democrats are favored to retain control of the State Assembly, according to a new PolitickerNJ.com Battleground 2009 analysis of state and county campaigns.  This breakdown will include key municipal races in future weeks.

Two Republican Assemblymen from Atlantic County said Sharon Harrington should remain with the Motor Vehicle Commission and save taxpayers money because the Casino Control Commission can "operate effectively" with three members.

John Amodeo (R-Linwood) and Vincent Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Township) criticized Gov. Jon Corzine's decision to fill a vacancy on the Casino Control Commission and described the move as "business as usual."  

There is no need to fill this vacancy on the commission nor will there be a need to fill the vacancy which will open up in August," said Amodeo.  "The Casino Control Commission can operate effectively with three members.  And as far as I know, there is no need for Sharon Harrington to leave the Motor Vehicle Commission."

Polistina says that Corzine has missed an opportunity to downsize government.

"It's political patronage appointment pure and simple," said Polistina.  He does not have to make the appointment, but, I guess he could not resist filling a $125,000 a year appointment.  It's just business as usual in Trenton."

Three new staffers have joined Gov. Jon Corzine's re-election team: Dr. Juan Melli, the founder of bluejersey.com and a former Associate Editor at Politicker.com, will be the Director of New Media; former Obama campaign staffer Julie Diaz will be the Director of Volunteer Organizing; and David York, who worked in the Governor's office as Director of Legislative Policy, will be the campaign's Director of Policy.