Wilfredo Caraballo

There is considerable speculation that Essex County Democrats want Teresa Ruiz, a top aide to County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the party Vice Chairwoman, to run for the State Assembly next year -- if they follow through on their threats to dump incumbent Wilfredo Caraballo in the 29th district.

Caraballo created major political trouble for himself in June when he refused to join the rest of the Essex legislative delegation in backing Governor Jon Corzine over Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts during the budget battle. Caraballo's key political ally, Newark Democratic leader Stephen Adubato, Sr., had reportedly told Caraballo at the time that his actions could cost him party support when he seeks re-election in 2007. The 33-year-old Ruiz is considered one of the young rising stars in Adubato's powerful North Ward political operation. She served briefly as the Essex County Democratic Chairman in 2003, between the resignation of Donald Payne and the election of Philip Thigpen.

If Ruiz did go to Trenton, she would become the first Latina to represent Essex County in the Legislature.

There are reports from Essex County that Democrats will withdraw party support for Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo's 2007 re-election campaign because the veteran Newark legislator is siding with Speaker Joseph Roberts. The rest of the Essex delegation has chosen to ally themselves with Governor Jon Corzine, as have Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Newark political powerhouse Stephen Adubato, Sr. Sources say that Caraballo, a close Adubato ally, has been told he might be dropped from the Essex Democratic line if he continues his alliance with Roberts. The source also said that Caraballo's political relationship with Adubato has become deeply strained over the last week.

Caraballo represents the 29th district, where a contested Democratic primary for State Senator is likely if the incumbent, Sharpe James, seeks re-election next year. James, whose twenty-year tenure as Mayor of Newark ended on July 1, has not yet declared his intentions. There is considerable speculation that City Councilman Luis Quintana, an ally of Mayor Cory Booker who challenged James in the 2003 primary, wants the Senate seat. Last week, Mildred Crump was elected Council President -- a spot Quintana had been seeking -- increasing talk that Quintana was headed for the Senate instead.

The other Assemblyman from that district is William Payne, the brother of Congressman Donald Payne. Payne and Caraballo have had a distant relationship since late last year, when Payne announced that he would back Bonnie Watson Coleman against Caraballo in the race for Assembly Majority Leader.

The President of the Latino-American Democratic Association wants State Senator Loretta Weinberg to apologize to the Bergen County Latino community for "her continued attacks on Latinos within the Bergen County Democratic family."

The group is upset that Weinberg opposed Charles Gonzalez, the only Latino candidate in a contest for Teaneck Councilman earlier this month. "Senator Weinberg often talks about inclusiveness and representation, but her behavior shows that she is interested only in including and representing those who tow her line," said Jerard Gonzalez, the LADA President. "Prior to her elevation to the senate, she refused to endorse Wilfredo Caraballo for Majority Leader in the state Assembly, despite the fact that he was the only Latino running for that post. She also does not have one Latino in a senior level staff position in her Senate office."

After an extended legal challenge, Weinberg defeated former Assemblyman Kenneth Zisa in a Special Election Convention last September. Democratic insiders say that Zisa is strongly considering a primary challenge against Weinberg next year.

SENATE PASSES CARABALLO/VOSS BILL AUTHORIZING UTILITY SHUT-OFF IN ABANDONED PROPERTIES
Measure Would Grant Electric, Gas Utilities Access to Abandoned Properties To Protect Against Accidental Fires, Explosions

(TRENTON) -- The Senate today passed legislation Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo and Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to allow electric or natural gas utility employees to enter an abandoned property to discontinue electric or natural gas service and remove utility equipment.

ASSEMBLY PASSES CARABALLO/GORDON/COHEN BILL TO DIVERSIFY,
EXPAND UMDNJ BOARD
Measure Would Strengthen UMDNJ Oversight; Promote Anonymous Whisteblowing

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly today passed legislation Assemblymen Wilfredo Caraballo, Robert Gordon, and Neil Cohen crafted to bring greater oversight to the problem-riddled University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

CARABALLO/GORDON/COHEN BILL TO DIVERSIFY, EXPAND UMDNJ BOARD CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL
Measure Would Strengthen UMDNJ Oversight; Promote Anonymous Whisteblowing

PANEL CLEARS CARABALLO/BARNES/BURZICHELLI BILL RAISING PENALTIES FOR GAS PIPELINE VIOLATIONS

(TRENTON) -- An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen Wilfredo Caraballo, Peter Barnes, and John Burzichelli sponsored to enhance the safety of residents who live near natural gas pipelines.

ASSEMBLY PASSES CARABALLO/GORDON BILL OVERHAULING LAWS GOVERNING HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
Measure Would Create Uniform Rules for Homeowner, Condo, and Co-Op Associations

ASSEMBLY PASSES CARABALLO/VOSS BILL AUTHORIZING UTILITY SHUT-OFF IN ABANDONED PROPERTIES
Measure Would Grant Electric, Gas Utilities Access To Abandoned Properties To Protect Against Accidental Fires, Explosions

(TRENTON)- The General Assembly today passed legislation Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo and Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to allow electric or natural gas utility employees to enter an abandoned property to discontinue electric or natural gas service and remove utility equipment.

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS CARABALLO/GORDON BILL
OVERHAULING LAWS GOVERNING HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
Measure Would Create Uniform Rules for Homeowner, Condo, and Co-Op Associations