If Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith (D-Jersey City) resigns following his indictment on federal corruption charges today, the special election convention to fill the remaining six months of his term is likely to be uneventful.  Since Smith gave up his Assembly seat to run unsuccessfully for Mayor, Democrats already have a candidate: Charles Mainor, a 42-year-old Jersey City police detective who was picked to run by the Hudson County Democratic Organization last April. 

If Smith and/or Daniel Van Pelt (R-Ocean) resign and the County Committee fill their seats, the new legislator would not be sworn in until the next Assembly session -- likely not until November.  That means if Republicans send Jack Kelly to the Assembly, they would not have to hold a November 2009 special election to fill his Freeholder seat.