Is Ciesla ready to leave?
By Wally EdgeThere is considerable speculation in Ocean County that Andrew Ciesla, a six-term Republican State Senator from Brick, will not seek re-election in 2011 – and some GOP sources say they wouldn’t be surprised if Ciesla stepped down before the expiration of his current term. Apparently Ciesla, who turns 55 next week, is burnt out after nearly seventeen years in the Senate.
If Ciesla retires, look for a bit of competition for the seat between the two tenth district Assemblymen, David Wolfe and James Holzapfel. Wolfe, who also comes from Brick, was elected to the Assembly in 1991, and Holzapfel, a former Ocean County Prosecutor, joined him there in 1994. There are other possible candidates, including longtime Freeholder Joseph Vicari, and Republican National Committeewoman Virginia Haines, a former Assemblywoman and state Lottery Director. None of these candidates are especially young.
Still, in Ocean County, competition is a relative term. Potential Senate candidates have a constituency of one: GOP County Chairman George Gilmore will decide who gets the Senate seat.
Contributors
Wally Edge
There is a good chance Gov. Jon Corzine will pick his running mate before July 16, if for no other reason than to get the Democratic Lt. Governor ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's called making perfection the enemy of the good and it's the first lesson of legislating.
Every legislative action involves ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
In a rebuke to Judge Sotomayor, who found neither empathy nor justice for victims of obvious racial discrimination, the SCOTUS struck another blow ... >
Jeff Michaels
The re-election campaign of Governor Jon Corzine was down-right giddy this week when it was announced that the state's tax amnesty program ... >
Richard LaRossa
Who is minding the Asylum! >
Alan Steinberg
The legendary sports journalist, Jimmy Cannon of the now defunct New York Journal-American said of Howard Cosell: “His real name is Howard Cohen, ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Based on the first Republican debate, which I had the opportunity to watch in the NJN studio and participate in a panel discussion afterwards, it ... >
Rob Tornoe
Joey Novick
Bailout of Madoff Not Making Everyone Happy
Special to AP Newswire
With 700 billion dollars being spent on the General Motors bailout, AIG, ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Word on the "internet street" has it that all the "King Street Men" supposedly are busy gathering cash for Union County ... >
Murray Sabrin
Last week the New Jersey State Legislature passed a $29 billion budget for fiscal 2010 which begins on July 1, 2009. Governor Corzine's budget ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Von Savage calls Shaftan 'reckless;' Lonegan backs primary challenges to three congressmen
- Obama to rally with Corzine on July 16th
- Bramnick and the moderate LG option
- Former council candidate claims councilwoman-elect is a Florida resident
- Lesniak wants AG's opinion on EnCap as Schaer requests gov signing ceremony
- Christie on Obama visit, budget poll numbers and Albin confirmation
- North Carolina-based pollster puts Christie ahead of Corzine by 10
- Corzine prepares to bask in Obama's glow
- FDU: Christie leads Corzine by 6
- Palmer not in LG mix
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- In Edison, Choi rolls out his team
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- The Governor's Suburban Challenge
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
Quote of the Day
"I'm tired of this two-party system. All they want is to score points for their team. I'm sick of it. I've had it." -- Karen Dunn, the owner of Blackbeard's Deli in Burlington City, after meeting independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett.
Recent Press Releases
- Jul 2 2009
Syndicate
Kelly?
how about a consolation prize for Kelly?
Its called the Assembly Mr. Dem
JK would fill either Dave or Jim's seat.
It won't be Kelly
He lives in District 9, Eagleswood to be exact. District 10 is furth north in Ocean County.
Luna for Senate or Assembly!!
Everyone should join together and promote Frank Luna for Senate or Assembly if/when Ciesla retires.
If Wolfe or Holzapfel step up to the Senate than Frank could run for Assembly.
He's young, hard-working, dedicated, and will certainly campaign his ass off.
Only thing is I'm not sure if he lives in LD 10..
Nope
He also lives in 9. Waretown is again out of District. In all likelihood it would be someone from Brick or Toms River unless one of the coastal towns such as Point or Seaside really wanted a representative.
Besides Eric
Luna can't be a Senator so you're first idea is bunk. The State Constitution requires that you be 30 to be a state senator. You can only be an Assembly member at his age.