Charlotte DeFilippo, chair of the Union County Democratic Committee, issued a statement this afternoon in response to the resignation earlier today of Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle). 

“A meeting of the Democratic Committee members from the 20th Legislative District will be held as expeditiously as possible and within the statutory 35 days to fill the vacant Assembly seat," said DeFilippo.

Union County Freeholder Director Angel Estrada picked up a phone Freeholder Director Angel Estradatoday and told top Union County Democratic officials that he wants to be considered among the candidates to replace Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle).

"Now it’s up to the party to decide," said Estrada, 57, an Elizabeth resident who has served as a freeholder for nine years, including two, one-year terms as director.

Prior to his freeholder service, Estrada was a member of the Board of Education for six years, and a Democratic Party committeeman.

"I very much care about the needs of people, especially poor people in this district," said Estrada, who has lived in Elizabeth since he was ten. "I’m making myself available, I am interested, and beyond that there’s nothing much I can do. It’s not up to me."

As candidates begin posturing for Neil Cohen’s now vacant Assembly seat, there is one certainty to the democratic process that will result in selecting a new legislator: there are two voters – State Senator Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman/Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan.  Elizabeth (142 votes) and Union (98 votes) represent 83% of the total votes that will be cast at a special election convention to be held within the next 7-35 days.  Lesniak controls Elizabeth, and Cryan is the party leader in Union. 

ROSELLE - Now serving his second term as mayor of this Union County town of 20,000 residents, Roselle Mayor Garrett Smith threw his name into the mix today as a possible successor to Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle), who resigned this morning.

"I’m definitely exploring the option of seeking that Assembly seat," Smith told PolitickerNJ.com. "I’m looking forward to having conversations with leaders of the Democratic Party."

Twice an off-the-line candidate for mayor who squeaked by in his last election by 300 votes, Smith is no darling of the Union County Democratic Party.

But he said his primary battles have been with Cohen, who was chair of the Roselle Democrats.

"He was really the person who was the issue, other than that there is no issue," said Smith. "I’m still trying to grasp the whole thing, but I’m open. I want to try to find a way for Roselle to be fully represented."

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER ALEX DeCROCE REACTS TO RESIGNATION OF NEIL COHEN

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce issued the following statement today in reaction to the resignation of Assemblyman Neil Cohen:

“Given the gravity of the allegations he faces, relinquishing public office is the right thing to do for his constituents. These are serious charges. The people of New Jersey deserve a Legislature that is untainted by scandal.” 

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Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris) said today that Assemblyman Neil Cohen made the right decision by resigning his seat.

“Given the gravity of the allegations he faces, relinquishing public office is the right thing to do for his constituents,” said DeCroce in a statement. “These are serious charges. The people of New Jersey deserve a Legislature that is untainted by scandal.”

On Friday, DeCroce issued a tougher worded statement about Cohen, saying that if the allegations that he stored child pornography on a legislative office computer then it “represents one of the most deplorable acts committed by a public servant,” and that “not only must he resign from office, but he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

ELIZABETH - In what could prove to be a throw down between Elizabeth and Roselle, At-Large Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-AugusteElizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste said she would like to pursue the Assembly seat vacated today by former Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle).

The 16-year City Council veteran said she has government experience and good relations with all of the players involved in 20th Legislative District politics.

Retired from banking, the 46-year old said, "You need a global approach as you act locally, and I think I’ve developed that during my years as an at-large councilwoman."

Governor Jon S. Corzine today issued the following statement following the resignation this morning of Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle).

"The allegations made concerning former Assemblyman Cohen are deeply disturbing," Corzine said in a statement. "All of us who have worked with him are shocked by the reports.  Child pornography reflects a horrible debasement of children that is totally intolerable.  Creating, distributing and using child pornography should be pursued vigorously by law enforcement wherever it is found."

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts characterized former Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who just resigned his seat amid allegations that he stored child pornography on a legislative office computer, as a legislator whose potentially great legacy has been felled by an alleged personal flaw.

“The allegations made against Assemblyman Cohen, if true, are sad and indefensible,” wrote Roberts. “Assemblyman Cohen was a respected legislator who dedicated his life to the State House and whose legacy would have been great. Unfortunately, all of that will now be forever overshadowed. While law enforcement reviews these allegations, we sincerely hope that he receives the help he desperately needs.”

STATEMENT OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBERTS ON COHEN RESIGNATION

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D-Camden) today accepted Assemblyman Neil Cohen's letter of resignation from the General Assembly. The letter was received by the Assembly Clerk at 9:24 a.m. Monday and effective immediately.