Another trial ballon: Joe Charles for LG?
By Wally EdgeAnother name to help Gov. Jon Corzine as he searches for an African American running mate: Superior Court Judge Joseph Charles, a former State Senator and Assemblyman from Jersey City.
Charles was first elected to the State Assembly in 1981, defeating incumbent Charles Mays in the Democratic primary. He moved up to the Senate in 2001 after six-term incumbent Edward O'Connor retired; he ran on a ticket with Joseph Doria eleven times. Charles left the Senate after less than two years to take a judgeship. His retirement triggered an epoch Senate primary between then-Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham and the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
Charles is well respected in Trenton and bridges gaps between the various factions of Democrats in Hudson County. As a Judge and former Deputy Attorney General (under a Republican Governor), he helps offset Christie's law enforcement experience. And he's old enough to not be a political threat to would-be contenders for the 2013 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, like Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
Even if Corzine wanted him, it might be a tough sell to coax the 65-year-old Charles off the bench with five years left before his retirement.
Contributors
Wally Edge
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Christie transition team members to assume more specified roles tomorrow
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Between two Tuesdays ago and next Monday: welcome to Atlantic City
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Christie names 19 subcommittee chairs
- Marlboro mayor won't rule out '13 bid for governor
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- Weinberg to Sweeney: honor your committment on marriage equality
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Velez-Gentry would take Christie administration position if offered
- DiVincenzo to launch re-election campaign next month
- Weinberg to Sweeney: honor your committment on marriage equality
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- New Jersey celebrity athlete candidates have mixed records
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"An Irish wake." -- New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittell, on Senate President Richard Codey's party in Atlantic City.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 19 2009
Syndicate
