Leo McGuire

Some Democrats think Joseph Ferriero's criminal conviction puts Bergen County Executive Dennis C. McNerney in danger of losing party support if he seeks re-election to a third term next year.  A Ferriero protégé, McNerney was handpicked by the powerful party leader to run in 2002 - now Democrats, protective of their control over county government, might gently nudge McNerney to retire.

Democrats will be more likely to dump McNerney if they lose Freeholder seats next month, and almost certain to replace him if Republicans win the race for governor.  But even a victory by Gov. Jon Corzine could push McNerney out; then State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), a Ferriero foe, would be Lt. Governor, and her clout among local Democrats would surely increase.  Look for Corzine and Weinberg to play a role in picking a new Democratic County Chairman after Michael Kasparian, who was picked by Ferriero as his replacement last year, steps down next June.

If the federal corruption trial of Joseph Ferriero ends in an acquittal, many party leaders expect that he will run again for Bergen County Democratic Chairman next June, or earlier.  Ferriero was forced to resign that post following his 2008 indictment.  That could cause quite a civil war just as Democrats are gearing up for the re-election of County Executive Dennis C. McNerney.

The conventional wisdom is that Ferriero's successor, Michael Kasparian, has no plans to seek re-election.  The job is not what he imagined it would be, he has struggled to raise money, and sources say his interest in staying on is limited at best. 

While Ferriero had a lock on the County Committee before his indictment (he won his last race with 80% of the vote), Democratic sources say he would face a real fight to return.  His chances could be reduced is his rival, State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), is elected Lt. Governor.  Weinberg would almost certainly push Jon Corzine to intervene, as she did when she ran for Byron Baer's open State Senate seat against Ken Zisa, Ferriero's choice.

Bergen County Democrats continue to list Sheriff Leo McGuire as a top candidate for County Executive next year, if Dennis McNerney does not seek re-election to a third term.  McNerney's political future is somewhat dependant on the outcome of former Democratic County Chairman Joseph Ferriero's federal corruption trial.  While McNerney has not been accused on any wrong doing, some insiders say that his extraordinarily close ties to Ferriero might be a reason why Democrats ask him to find another job.

How do Sheriff's fare in their bids for higher office? Typically a Sheriff declines to give up the security of their office -- the last elected county law enforcement officials to lose re-election were Democrat James McGettigan in Atlantic County in 2008, Republican Joel Trella in Bergen County in 2004 and Democrat James Forcinito in Cumberland County in 1999. Despite the traditional popularity of a Sheriff, their successes in running for another office tend to be mixed. Republican Bill McDowell was elected Bergen County Executive in 1986 and Democrat Thomas D'Alessio captured the Essex County Executive post in 1990. Both served just one term: McDowell walked away on his own, D'Alessio taken out in handcuffs.

Some very optimistic Bergen County Republicans are thinking ahead to 2010, when two-term County Executive Dennis McNerney is up for re-election.  The GOP believes they could have a shot at the post they held from 1986 to 2003, if New Jersey has a Republican governor.  And some Democrats say that McNerney could be weakened if federal prosecutors convict former Democratic County Chairman Joseph Ferriero after his corruption trial this fall.

The Republicans who receive the most attention as potential County Executive candidates are: County Clerk Kathleen Donovan, Assemblyman David Russo (R-Ridgewood), and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan.  If the Bergen County Democratic Organization pulls their support from McNerney, look for Surrogate Michael Dressler, Sheriff Leo McGuire, and outgoing Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes to be among the top candidates.

A lawsuit filed against Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa alleging that he extorted campaign contributions from police officers for his campaigns for State Assembly and for other candidates is likely to end Bergen County Freeholder Tomas Padilla's campaign for U.S. Marshal.  Padilla, a Hackensack police captain, is Zisa's co-defendant.  While the allegations against Zisa and Padilla remain unproven, it is unlikely that the White House would nominate a candidate for a federal law enforcement post while a lawsuit that alleges political shakedowns and retaliations against police officers hangs over his head.

Look for Padilla to drop his bid to succeed U.S. Marshal James Plousis soon.  This could put Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, who dropped out and endorsed Padilla, back in the game.  Padilla reportedly had the backing of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-Hoboken), while U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) is reportedly supporting Lourdes Timberman Correa, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Marshal's office. 

Samuel Plumeri is expected to resign his post as Police Superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and will be moving into a state government post, possibly as the Board of Parole.  The move takes him out of contention for appointment as the next U.S. Marshal.  Plumeri, a former Mercer County Sheriff and Democratic County Chairman, has been actively seeking the Marshal post, but it appears he was not a serious contender.

Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire formally withdrew from the race for U.S. Marshal today and endorsed fellow Democrat Tomas Padilla, a Hackensack police captain and Bergen County Freeholder. McGuire, who touted endorsements from U.S. Reps. Steven Rothman (D-Fair Lawn), Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) and Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), says he wants to continue his work as Sheriff.

“Upon consulting with my family and friends and after careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that the best interests of the people will be best served by remaining Sheriff of Bergen County,” said McGuire.  “In a very short time as Sheriff, my team has been able to enhance the Office, professionalize the staff, and help make Bergen County a safer place for all. I am proud to be Sheriff and feel my work is far from finished.”

Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire has withdrawn his name for consideration for U.S. Marshal, and is instead recommending Bergen County Freeholder Tomas Padilla for the post.  Former Mercer County Sheriff Samuel Plumeri, the Director of Security for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has been actively seeking the post.

In February, U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman had backed McGuire over Padilla and sent a letter to Democratic U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez asking that the Sheriff replace Republican James Plousis in the U.S. Marshal post.

The massive number of new appointments being processed by the White House has the vetting process a little backed up.  That has caused a delay in President Barack Obama's formal nomination of Paul Fishman as New Jersey's new U.S. Attorney.  Because he has won endorsements from U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, Fishman has the job.  But Obama won't nominate him until the vetting is done, and he must still compete with other nominees waiting to be confirmed on a busy Senate calendar.  In the meantime, Ralph Marra, Jr. will continue to serve as Acting U.S. Attorney.

Also delayed is the appointment of a new U.S. Marshal to replace Republican James Plousis.  Lautenberg and Menendez have not yet made a recommendation to the White House, and that is where the process begins.  The candidates in that race are the same: Samuel Plumeri, the Director of the Port Authority Police and a former Mercer County Sheriff, and Gov. Jon Corzine's choice; Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, who has the backing of U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman (D-Fair Lawn); and Bergen County Freeholder Director Tomas Padilla, who is also a Hackensack policeman.