Are Girgenti and Turner in their last terms?
By Wally EdgeTwo State Senators who have remained loyal to Richard Codey (D-Roseland) are likely nearing the end of the legislative careers, according to several Democratic insiders. As a white man representing a district where Latinos and African Americans outnumber whites, John Girgenti (D-Hawthorne) has been at risk of losing party support for the last few years. Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Paterson) asked Passaic County Democrats to consider her for the Senate in 2007, but party leaders backed the re-election of the 62-year-old Hawthorne Democrat who has been in the Legislature since 1977. Latino leaders have been eyeing the 35th district Senate seat as their best opportunity to double their representation in the upper house – from one to two.
Girgenti could either lose party support for another term in the Senate, or mapmakers – if Democrats were to dominate legislative redistricting – could offer him the chance run in a new district, perhaps against Senate Minority Whip Kevin O’Toole (R-Cedar Grove).
Some Democrats say the retirement of Senate President Pro-Tempore Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence) could come sooner rather than later. If Gov. Jon Corzine wins a second term, Turner – no favorite of the front office – could be offered another post in an effort to clear a path for Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) to go to the Senate. Watson Coleman, popular with Democrats, appears to have gotten the short end of the stick in a legislative leadership deal that will make Sheila Oliver (D-Ewing) the next Assembly Speaker and Joseph Cryan (D-Union) the new Majority Leader. Watson Coleman is also a contender for a cabinet post in a second Corzine administration.
If Turner completes her turn and Watson Coleman remains in the Assembly, there is a good chance that Turner will get nudged into retirement in two years so that Watson Coleman can move up to the Senate then.
There is some talk that Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford), if he becomes Senate President, will replace Turner as Senate Education Committee chair, possibly with Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), whose political mentor, Stephen Adubato, Sr., has considerable interest in education-related issues.
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At risk: White Suburban Democrats in re-districting
Depending upon who controls the map, several high ranking senate Democrats could find themselves without a district to run in come 2011 or at the very least in a contested primary with a fellow colleague. Those names include Dick Codey, who could find himself in the same district as Kevin O'Toole or even possibly John Girgenti. Girgenti's Hawthrone could easily be moved to the 40th where he would square-off with O'Toole or simply retire. Bob Gordon is also at risk should the GOP get a hold of the map. Gordon could find himself in a new district with incumbent Paul Sarlo or possibly moved into the 40th or even the 37th should Weinberg retire. That would leave him in a probable primary fight with Valerie Huttle, Gordon Johnson and outgoing Mayor Michael Wildes of Englewood. Sarlo could find Wood Ridge moved into the 38th or he can lobby for more Bergen towns like neighboring Little Ferry and Lodi and make his Bergen/Passaic/Essex district more Bergen based. Senator Nick Sacco could look to add Cliffside Park, Palisades Park or even Lyndhurst or North Arlington to his district and drop the Jersey City portion of the 32nd. If GOP map makers have their say, you could see the 32nd extended west to include North Arlington as Passaic City which would be good news for Gary Schaer who should windup in a Democratic leaning district no matter the outcome. The loser here seems to be Fred Scalera. With no real base, Scalera could find himself fighting for his political like with Ralph Caputo or placed into a more suburban Essex district that will swing Republican. Vote Column "A" - All the way!
How would Codey and Girgenti end up together?
I guess a Wayne-centered district with spokes into Passaic and the Horseneck Tract (Fairfield, the Caldwells). This might be also a good opportunity for GOP challengers who've been proving their muster like Bloschak, Funt and Pio Costa if they can't overcome this year's map. Will DiGaetano and O'Toole make a deal to create two GOP leaning Senate districts in Bergen, Essex and Passaic?
WatsonColeman as Corrections Commissioner
She knows the Department. The current Corrections Commissioner is retiring. She can get out of the political rat race.