Sarlo ready to break for Sweeney

There is speculation among key Democrats that Senate Judiciary Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) will endorse Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) for Senate President, possibly as early as this week.  Sarlo had previously refused to publicly state his preference, but late last week supporters of incumbent Richard Codey (D-Roseland) had listed the Bergen County Democrat as one of their likely votes in the upcoming leadership fight.  Sarlo would represent a major defection from the Codey camp.

Sarlo's relatively early endorsement of Sweeney extends an alliance with South Jersey Democrats that began when he backed U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) over incumbent Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) in the 2008 U.S. Senate primary.  That alliance could help him win a race for Majority Leader, with Sweeney's backing.  Sarlo was Codey's candidate for Majority Leader in 2007, but was defeated by Sweeney.

A move by Sarlo in the Senate President race could open up the powerful Judiciary chairmanship.  If Sweeney wins and Sarlo becomes Majority Leader, Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) and Robert Smith (D-Piscataway) are possible candidates for Judiciary chairman - depending upon where they are in the leadership battle.  Team Codey believes Scutari is with the incumbent, but Scutari's ally, Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), remains undecided and is probably leaning toward Sweeney.  Smith is also reportedly leaning toward Sweeney.

Senate Appropriations Committee chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Majority Leader.  So far, she remains publicly uncommitted in the Codey vs. Sweeney race.