March 9, 2009 - 8:35am

Inside Edge

Schroeder can afford to help other Republicans on his way to Trenton

By Wally Edge

Washington Township Committeeman Robert Schroeder, who sought the 2005 Republican gubernatorial nomination, is now the favorite to replace John Rooney in the State Assembly next year.

Former gubernatorial candidate Robert Schroeder easily won the endorsement of the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) in his bid to succeed John Rooney as an Assemblyman from the 39th district. Schroeder beat former River Edge Councilman John Felice, 194-32. In a district where Democrats have not won a legislative race since 1977, Schroeder becomes an overwhelming favorite to go to the Legislature.

Look for Schroeder, a 49-year-old millionaire businessman who self-funded his 2005 campaign for Governor, to emerge as a leader within the Assembly Republican caucus next year. The Washington Township Committeeman will have the ability to help raise money for other GOP Assembly candidates this year.

At the Northeast Republican Organization (NERO) convention, which picked the District 39 candidates for the BCRO, Schroeder came in 21 votes behind Charlotte Vandervalk, who has spent eighteen years in the Assembly. That number is significant only because intramural battles between Schroeder and Vandervalk could intensify as both eye the State Senate seat of Republican Gerald Cardinale, who will be 77-years-old when he’s up for re-election in 2011. Vandervalk is just three years younger than Cardinale.

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

Related topics: Robert Schroeder, John Rooney, John Felice, Gerald Cardinale, Charlotte Vandervalk

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