February 18, 2009 - 11:02am
Inside Edge

Aide denies report that Stender won't seek re-election

It continues to look as though Linda Stender won't seek re-election to a fifth term in the State Assembly.

Democratic sources say that Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) is worn out after three campaigns in three years and has decided not to seek re-election to the State Assembly.   She's waiting for party leaders - some say that means State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) -- to help her with an exit strategy (aka a job).  Stender ran for Congress in 2006, losing to incumbent Michael Ferguson by just one percentage point, for re-election to the Assembly in 2007, and again for Congress in 2008 - this time losing by nine points.

But Stender's aide, Ed Oatman, strongly denies that Stender won't run.

"It’s absolutely untrue.  I spoke to her three minutes ago. She is definitely running for reelection. We had a fundraiser last week and we have one for next week," Oatman told PolitickerNJ.com.

Stender told PolitickerNJ.com in January that she intended to seek re-election to a fifth term.  There has been speculation of her retirement from the Legislature since last year.

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