February 9, 2009 - 6:12am
Inside Edge

How about Wildes vs. Garrett in 2012?

Englwood Mayor Michael Wildes and President Barack Obama

Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, who announced on Friday that he will not seek re-election to a third term this year, has over $1 million in a federal campaign account.  He's been waiting for a chance to run for Congress with the same intensity that U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman has been positioning himself to run statewide. 

One option for Wildes, who is a fundraising machine, would be to push state Democratic leaders to move Englewood - and maybe some other more Democrat-friendly towns - into the fifth district after the 2010 census.  That could set up a race between Wildes and conservative U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) in 2012.

This might be a good option for Wildes, who would have plenty of competition in a Democratic primary if Rothman's seat were to suddenly open up - and an even better option for the ultra ambitious Democrat if Rothman winds up staying in the House for while.

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