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.
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Quote of the Day
"Please. I wouldn't have enough paper. So let’s not even bother writing one. This is now about governing. I won. The one thing I could never understand about people in politics was winners who are sore winners." -- Gov.-elect Christopher Christie, on putting together an enemis list.
“He’s a nice man with good intentions, but in the end he’ll be remembered for timidity. Being a business titan and issuing orders from the corner office is a lot different than having to cajole and persuade people in politics and having the toughness and fortitude to see your vision become reality.”-- Ross K. Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University, on Gov. Jon Corzine.
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