GOP wants Desiderio to run for Assembly
By Wally EdgeRepublicans think their best chance to pick up Democratic Assembly seats next year is in the first district, where incumbents Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam are expected to seek re-election. Democrats swept the district in 2007 when Jefferson Van Drew ousted Republican incumbent Nicholas Asselta in a hotly contested State Senate race. Milam won by 2,020 votes - one of the closest races in the state; Albano was re-elected to a second term by 5,319 votes. Without Van Drew on the ticket, the GOP is optimistic.
But first, Republicans have to convince their top choice, Cape May County Freeholder (and Sea Isle City Mayor) Leonard Desiderio, to run. Desiderio was sought out as a candidate in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and declined. The two '07 Assembly candidates, Michael Donohue and Norris Clark, are reportedly mulling a rematch.
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
- Conservatives angry at Lance, LoBiondo and Smith over cap-and-trade vote
- Battleground Monmouth and the Guadagno LG option
- Von Savage calls Shaftan 'reckless;' Lonegan backs primary challenges to three congressmen
- Obama to rally with Corzine on July 16th
- O'Leary tries to clear his name, and leadership looks to judge as possible replacement
- 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
- North Carolina-based pollster puts Christie ahead of Corzine by 10
- FDU: Christie leads Corzine by 6
- 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
Let me get this straight
The Republicans, who savaged Stender in 2006 for this, think their best chance to win an assembly seat is with Double Dipping Pension Padder Leonard Desiderio?
May I please be the first to say...
"yay!"
Glad to see Commonsense is back
I would say this...Albano is a hardworking guy, although without Van Drew on the ticket he is perhaps the most vulnerable state leg member. Not to knock him completely, and he is getting better-that is to say a bit more polished, and seems to be getting an overall better understanding of where his money comes from, but he is rough around the edges and has not done anything out of the shadow of his mentor Van Drew. Milam is too fresh to completely judge, but he too has not done anything remarkable. Riding the popular (God only knows why) Van Drew's coattails is one thing, but Albano's are no where near as long. Nevertheless Lenny likes being the king of a small castle. In Cape May where the GOP has 100% control of the freeholder board, Lenny gets tons of taxpayer money and I doubt that he is willing to give that up for a spot in the minority of the Gen Assembly. Furthermore, on his own two feet he is not that impressive. I doubt he runs. In this race if Clark and Donahue run again it will be closer than last time.
Big Deal!
Albano and Milam will out work any Republican in the District. They will have the money and the manpower to continue the Democratic takeover of the South. There will also be a Governors race going on and a lot of effort will be put into keeping Corzine? Codey? Sweeney? Andrews? in that seat.
The Republicans got lazy and lost all of those seats in the past few years. The Democrats will not make that same mistake.
first
While I admire your optimism, I have to disagree. Albano and Milam have a huge mountain to climb. Cape May sill goes GOP in State wide contests, neither of them have ever run without Van Drew thats a big problem
Hard workers
Incumbency, hard work, and a LOT of money will make it very difficult for any opponent. Cape May has not been putting up the numbers in the past few elections. The Democrats will spend what they have to keep those two seats.
Tough race , yes, but hard work will keep them in office.