Linda Greenstein

Claim of Independence by Greenstein & DeAngelo Runs Into Stubborn Thing Called “The Truth”

The race for Assembly Speaker is causing political headaches for Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro),  who will  steer clear of an endorsement until her own re-election campaign is over.  On Friday, Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Joseph Spicuzzo announced that the entire Middlesex Democratic Assembly delegation would back John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville) for Speaker.  That put Greenstein, a five-term Democratic lawmaker from Middlesex, in hot water with Mercer County Democrats, who are backing Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) for the post.  Greenstein's district is evenly divided between Middlesex and Mercer.

Spicuzzo's announcement that Greenstein was backing Wisniewski upset Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, who is backing Watson Coleman.  Hughes convinced Greenstein to back off her pledge to Spicuzzo and remain comfortably on the sidelines.    For Wisniewski, it means that a campaign that was just hours old already had a defection.

This is bad news for Watson Coleman, who was assuming the support of Greenstein and hoping for the backing of Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton).  With African American legislators sidelined as another candidate, Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) mulls a bid for Speaker, all Watson Coleman really has at this point is one vote from her running mate, Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton), and her own. 

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-South Brunswick), left, campaigning in 2007.

Clarifying a release issued yesterday concerning the Middlesex County delegation's endorsement for Assembly Speaker of Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville), Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-South Brunswick) said she has made no endorsement in that emerging contest, and does not intend to endorse anytime soon. 

"I'm focused on my election and the governor's election and I have made it clear that I wont issue any public endorsement until after the election," said Greenstein.

In addition to Wisniewski, sources say Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing), Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union Township), Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Cherry Hill), Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange), and Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) are all potential candidates for the Speaker's chair to be vacated at the end of this year by retiring Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden).

Taxes Going Up & People Losing Jobs …Greenstein & DeAngelo At Odds Over Next Speaker

Assemblyman John Wisniewski received the endorsement of his home county delegation in his bid to become Assembly Speaker. Six Democrats live in Middlesex, and another legislator from Somerset says he'll also back the Sayreville Democrat.

The Middlesex County Democratic State Assembly delegation will back John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville) for Assembly Speaker, potentially giving him an early lead in the race to succeed Joseph Roberts.  Joseph Spicuzzo, the Democratic County Chairman, announced the unanimous support of the delegation in a press release issued this evening.

In January, New Jersey will need a new Assembly Speaker who will represent the middle class, the middle ground, as well as the middle of our state," Spicuzzo said.  "No one will do a better job of bringing people together for the good of New Jersey than Middlesex County's own Assemblyman John Wisniewski.

Roberts recently announced that he will not seek re-election to the Legislature, where he has served since 1987.  Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) has said she will seek the post, and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), the Democratic State Chairman, is considered a leading candidate for Speaker. 

The Middlesex base could bring Wisniewski as many as ten votes in his leadership bid, depending upon the outcome of the general election.

Three Democrats who live in Middlesex are likely to win re-election to the Assembly in November: Peter Barnes (D-Edison), Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), and Joseph Egan (D-New Brunswick).  Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) is favored to win re-election, as are Wisniewski and his running mate, former Judge Craig Coughlin in the 19th district.

Another legislator, Upendra Chivukula (D-Franklin), was included in Spicuzzo's release as endorsing Wisniewski.  Chivukula lives in Somerset County but represents a largely Middlesex district. 

Three other legislators, Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton), Gerald Green (D-Plainfield), and Linda Stender (D-Fanwood), represent districts that include parts of Middlesex County.  They were not included in Spicuzzo's statement, which specifically said that "Middlesex County's Democratic delegation to the State Assembly unanimously supports John Wisniewski."

Calabro & Harvey Call on Opponents to Disavow Middlesex Dem Chair's Praise of Convicted Felon Lynch

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMS ON NEW LAW COMBATING HOSPITAL MEDICAL ERRORS

(PLAINSBORO) - Assembly members Paul D. Moriarty, Linda R. Greenstein and Herb Conaway, M.D. today issued a multimedia package on a new law they sponsored to help prevent hospital medical errors.

The law (A-1264/3371/3633) was signed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine during a public ceremony at AARP New Jersey headquarters. It requires the state Department of Health and Senior Services to include hospital-specific data on 14 patient safety indicators in the agency's annual Hospital Performance Report that is available to the public.  The law also prohibits hospitals and doctors from billing a patient or insurance company for specific types of medical errors and hospital-acquired conditions.

The sponsors said the law enables the public to make more informed decisions about their health care options while encouraging poorly performing hospitals to improve patient safety.

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

GREENSTEIN & DeANGELO DISCUSS NEW HOSPITAL'S USE OF 'GREEN DESIGN'

Site of New Hospital Adhering to LEED Standards for Sustainability in Construction, Design

(PLAINSBORO) - Assembly members Linda R. Greenstein and Wayne P. DeAngelo (both D-Mercer/Middlesex) today issued a multimedia package highlighting their tour of a hospital construction site utilizing the latest in "green design" standards.

The pair toured the construction site of the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, which is being built according to the U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard.  LEED standards emphasize long-term sustainability and minimal environmental impact.  The hospital site employs nearly 500 construction workers and will create hundreds of new green jobs when it opens in 2011.

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.