Ralph Caputo

In the Essex County-based 28th district, former Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Irvington) is hoping to win back the seat he held for twelve years before losing the 2007 Democratic primary by 127 votes.  The Essex Democratic organization is backing the incumbents, Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark).  The primary will test the political strength of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne's organization; Stanley is the nephew of Payne's brother, former Assemblyman William Payne.  Caputo and Tucker are favored to win.

Assemblyman/Freeholder Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville)

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) said he and his running mate, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) refuse to underestimate the off-the-line challenger by former District 28 Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Irvington), despite Stanley’s failure to muster party support and a wide cash disparity.

“These contests are always difficult to predict and I never disrespect anyone,” said Caputo, who reported $51,000 raised and $31,000 on hand in his last state Elections Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) filing. “I’ve been campaigning so hard, my wife doesn’t even know who I am anymore.”

Caputo participated in Memorial Day events in both Belleville and Bloomfield yesterday and did the church circuit on Friday. His running mate, Tucker, reported raising $49,500 and $17,160 cash on hand. To date, the running mates have authorzied five campagn mail pieces, against zero from Stanley.

For Caputo, the early support of state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark) - who was Stanley's 2007 running mate - proved a critical momentum builder for the team.

Very little money is is being spent in Republican legislative primaries this year, according to reports filed on May 5 with the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

In terms of cash, the most competitive primary is in District 40, where incumbent Assemblymen Scott Rumana (R-Wayne) and Dave Russo (R-Ridgewood) face businessmen Joseph Caruso and Anthony Rottino.

Including funds left over from their previous campaign balances, Rumana has raised a total of $189,200 and has $78,888 on hand, while Russo has raised $181,375 and has $39,925 on hand.  Their joint account raised a total of $99,428 and has $13,254 in cash.

That puts the incumbents at a significant but not overwhelming fundraising advantage over Caruso and Rottino, who did not have previous campaign balances to draw from but wound up out-raising Rumana and Russo during the last fundraising cycle.  Caruso raised $64,550 and has $37,175 on hand, while Rottino raised $42,825 and has $32,715 on hand.  The joint account for the challengers raised $28,843 and has $5,341 on hand.

In the three man 25th District contest, the two non-incumbents are by far the bigger fundraisers.  Tony Bucco, Jr., whose father occupies that district's state Senate seat, raised a total of $58,550 and has the most cash with $27,086.  Morris County Freeholder Cabana raised $55,344 in total, but does not have the most cash on hand of any candidate, with $17,300 left over.  The lone incumbent in the race, Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Township), has the least money. He raised $20,119 - most of which came from left over funds -- and has $5,214 in cash.

The lone incumbent in the race, Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Township), has the least money. He raised $20,119 - most of which came from left over funds -- and has $5,214 in cash.

An appellate court judge yesterday upheld Superior Court Mary Costello’s ruling that the candidate for Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages running with District 28 Assembly candidate Craig Stanley won’ be allowed on the June 2nd Democratic Primary ballot. 

That prompted Stanley, a former Assemblyman in the district now running against Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) and Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville), to fire off a letter to the State Commission on Investigations. 

“I want to see the process investigated,” said Stanley, whose running mate, Bonni Walston, failed to meet the threshold of 100 required signatures, according to the courts. 

In court last month, Stanley’s candidate was able to prove under the court’s scrutiny that she had 98 valid signatures.

Belleville Mayor Ray Kimble

BELLEVILLE – It was a searing contest that at the time looked like the breeding ground for a lot of infinitely injured egos, but last year’s municipal elections in which a team backed by Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) opposed Mayor Ray Kimble’s slate, appears all but forgotten.

“Naturally, I’m endorsing Ralph,” said Kimble, who this year reconciled with Caputo, as did state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark).

Like Rice, Kimble backs both incumbents: Caputo, and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark), who face a primary challenger from former Assemblyman Craig Stanley of Irvington.

Kimble said he was willing

CAPUTO URGES INCREASED VIGILANCE AGAINST SWINE FLU

Notes Health Commissioner’s Advice to Seek Medical Care

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo on Monday urged increased vigilance against the swine flu, expressing worry that those who lack health insurance or believe they cannot afford health care could spread the disease by not seeking proper medical care.

“It’s vital that we watch carefully to make sure people who catch this flu aren’t unchecked because they either lack health insurance or think they cannot afford health care,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “The worst case scenario is to have people with the swine flu walking around without receiving the treatment they need to help control this outbreak.”

28th District Assembly candidate Craig Stanley suffered a process loss today when Superior Court Judge Mary Costello denied a ballot position to Stanley’s candidate for registrar.

Costello ruled that Bobbi Walston of East Orange did not possess enough valid signatures to stay on the ballot.

Stanley is running off the line against Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark).

Former Assemblyman Bill Payne (D-Newark) will not seek his old seat in the 29th District this year, he told PolitickerNJ.com tonight.

“I’m still supporting Craig Stanley 1000%,” said the uncle of the former 28th District assemblyman, who last week formally kicked off his off-the-line challenge of Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark).

“I’m interested in seeing what transpires with redistricting, but I’ll notify people to hold up on Bill Payne this time,” said the former assemblyman. “I want to be able to devote as much time to Craig Stanley as possible.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark), left, and Councilman Donald Payne, Jr.

NEWARK – In what is more than a one-man crusade, even if its most significant political implication may be a test of the fighting shape of a respected political dynasty, and the future of an aging congressman, former 28th District Assemblyman Craig A. Stanley intends to launch his off-the-line election campaign tomorrow at noon at the corner of South Orange Avenue near the Garden State Parkway.

The nephew of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark), Stanley served for six consecutive terms before the alliance of Mayor Cory Booker and North Ward Democratic Party leader Steve Adubato backed an alternative district slate that included Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark), both of whom are now seeking reelection with Booker’s and Adubato’s backing.

Essex County Democratic Party Chairman Phil Thigpen

As expected, Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman Phil Thigpen awarded the line in the 28th District to the incumbents: Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark), according to party sources close to the chairman.

Insiders had said as recently as yesterday that the chairman would decide accordingly, in spite of attempts by former Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-Newark) to secure the party’s backing. 

Stanley could not immediately be reached for comment.