Nina Mitchell Wells

According to the state Division of Elections, Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello filed for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination today using the slogan “Democrat for Jobs, Health Care, Secure Boarders (sic).” (Surely he meant borders.) When we figure out who’s at fault – either Cresitello or the state Division of Elections – now under the direction of Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells – we’ll let you know.

Kay Walcott Henderson will leave her post as General Counsel to the Assembly Democrats to become the new Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells.  She succeeds Malik Cupid, who resigned earlier this year after being charged with stealing money from the account of his former girlfriend.

Henderson’s replacement is Tiffany Williams, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who now works at Riker Danzig.  Williams, an ordained Minister, completed legal internships with President Bill Clinton and state Supreme Court Justice John Wallace.

Westchester County District Attorney
Former Corzine administration official Malik Cupid, who faces four felony counts of grand larceny for stealing $1,400 from his ex-girlfriend’s bank account while she was serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq, is expected to appear in court on August 13. The Westchester County District Attorney's office says that no plea has been reached.

CODEY STATEMENT ON SENATE CONFIRMATION OF NINA MITCHELL WELLS

TRENTON - Senate President Richard J. Codey issued the following statement today on the state Senate's confirmation of Nina Mitchell Wells as New Jersey's new Secretary of State:

"I wish Nina all the best as she tackles her new role as Secretary of State," said Codey. "As someone from my backyard - Essex County - I consider Nina a good friend and I know she will do a great job for the State of New Jersey. We have a tremendous amount of history and culture that should be preserved and promoted and Nina will serve us proudly."

Five of the last seven people to serve as New Jersey Secretary of State have been women and the last four have been African American. Jane Burgio, a former Essex County Assemblywoman, became the first woman to hold the post when she was named by Thomas Kean after the 1981 election. After James Florio was elected Governor in 1989, he named Joan Haeberle, who was replaced in 1992 by Senate Majority Leader Daniel Dalton. Christine Todd Whitman named the first African American Secretary of State, Lonna Hooks, after he '93 election; Hooks left in 1998 and was replaced in 1999 by Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries. Governor James E. McGreevey named Regena Thomas, a Democratic strategist, after he won election in 2001. Nina Mitchell Wells will become the fifth woman and fourth African American to hold the post after Jon Corzine becomes Governor later this month.

Footnote: According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Wells has contributed over $40,000 to federal campaigns since 1986; her only contribution to a Republican came in 2002, when she gave $300 to Soaries, who challenged Congressman Rush Holt in the 12th district.