Tom Shea

Some Democrats close to Governor Jon Corzine say that Bradley Abelow will be replaced as Chief of Staff by his predecessor, Tom Shea.  Shea left the administration in August 2007, but has remained Corzine’s top political advisor.  Sources say Corzine would like Shea, who ran Corzine’s U.S. Senate campaign in 2000 and spent five years as his Chief of Staff in Washington, to return through the 2009 election.

There are some reports that the Corzine administration is shopping for a new State Treasurer, which could mean that Thomas Shea is preparing to leave his post as Chief of Staff -- with Bradley Abelow as his replacement. 

One possible State Treasurer candidate is Judy Lewent, who will retire as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Merck on August 14.  She also serves on the Board of Directors of Dell and Motorola, and as a Trustee of the Rockefeller Family Foundation.  A front office source says that Governor Jon Corzine will meet with Lewent this week.

New Jerseyans of all political parties are expressing their heartfelt wishes for Governor Jon Corzine's speedy recovery today -- and wondering what it means for state government over the long and short term.

Corzine remains in critical condition this morning, facing additional surgeries for injuries sustained in a serious autombole accident yesterday. Senate President Richard Codey says he is on a ventilator, and doctors say that it could be weeks before Corzine resumes his duties. He faces a long period of rehabilitation as he recovers from a femur bone broken in two places, a boken collarbone, twelve ribs, sternum, and head lacerations.

Article 5 of the New Jersey State Constitution -- at least for the next 32 months -- provides for the Senate President to become Acting Governor when the elected Governor in unable "to discharge the duties of the office." As Codey waits to learn more details of Corzine's path to full recovery, state political insiders are speculating as to who will run the state during the period of Corzine's incapacitation.

Corzine strategist Tom Shea reports that his candidate's favorite rock band is The Band. "Although we are rockin' some Cream," he adds. No word from Forrester land yet. Not sure if Corzine's answer willsatisfy the undecided voter (who is from Burlington County), but The Band is not the band that will deliver the man's wife and girlfriends as well.