October 1, 2008 - 10:35am
News

Sources: Booker will take sides in Central Ward race

Sources say that Newark Mayor Cory Booker will endorse Eddie Osborne for the Central Ward City Council seat.  Osborne, a union organizer with close ties to the Booker camp, is seeking the seat of Dana Rone, who was removed from office by a Superior Court Judge after her conviction on charges that she interfered with police during a routine traffic stop of her nephew.  

Among the other candidates running in the November special election are former Councilman Charles Bell, who was elected in 2002 when Booker gave up his seat to challenge Mayor Sharpe James; Mary Rone, the mother of the former Councilwoman; and former Democratic District Leader Nikea White.  Central Ward Democratic leader Dwight Brown, Democratic powerhouse Stephen Adubato, and State Sen. Ronald Rice are backing Bell, while City Council President Mildred Crump is with White.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.