Both parties look ahead to '09 Assembly campaigns

[politickernj]

Both parties look ahead to '09 Assembly campaignsBy Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
All eighty seats in the New Jersey General Assembly are up next year, with Democrats in strong shape to keep their majority under a legislative map that creates relatively few competitive races.

Republicans feel that they have a good chance to go on the offensive this year, even if taking control of the Assembly, where Democrats have a 48-32 majority, is an unlikely prospect. Assembly Republican Executive Director Rick Wright thinks the gubernatorial candidacy of U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, one of four Republicans actively exploring a statewide bid, would boost his party’s chances to pick up Assembly seats.

“It all depends on who our gubernatorial candidate is. I know there’s a lot of excitement out there about Chris Christie. If and when he makes his decision, that will help us in our recruiting. We have people out there sitting and saying I want to see what Chris Christie does,” Wright said. “A lot of county chairmen think we have a much better chance of success in gubernatorial and legislative races if Chris Christie is at the top of the ticket.”

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District 14

The 14th district was the “competitive” Clean Elections district last year, although that word didn’t describe the top race. Assemblyman Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton) easily beat Democrat Seema Singh for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Peter Inverso.

But the bottom of the ticket was much closer game. Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), running for her fifth term, relatively easily beat out Republican challengers Tom Goodwin and Adam Bushman. But it was much closer for Democrat Wayne DeAngelo, who just edged out Goodwin by about 900 votes.

This year, operatives from parties acknowledge, DeAngelo is going to in the Republicans’ sights again.

“Linda Greenstein…has a lot of seniority,” said Muller. “Quite frankly Wayne is going to be the lesser-known commodity, and they’re probably going to make the play. They’ll probably run a Hamiltonian against him.”

Possible candidates include: Hamilton Councilwoman Kelly Yaede; ’08 Sheriff candidate Jim McSorley, a retired State Police captain and an aide to U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith; outgoing Cranbury Township Committeeman Wayne Whitman; Goodwin, a Hamilton Councilman; and Bushman.

http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/25391/both-parties-look-ahead-09-assembly-campaigns

[Guest]

[Guest]

If we want Wayne out then it has to be Kelly. Hamilton people will vote their own first. I'd love WW to be in office, but don't think he'd carry Hamilton which is key.

[Cranbury Conservative]

Let's all remember that Greestein politically postured by abstaining from the COAH legislation vote and DeAngelo did not even pretend to care about his district by voting for the legislation which now negatively impacts every town in their district including Cranbury.

[Guest]

Agreed - DeAngelo must go. What I at least perceive as an utter lack of concern for and response to Cranbury's needs is irresponsible as an elected official (if not arrogant). Granted, our small town's votes are overshadowed by his hometown's votes by more than 20-1....so I can see why he feels he can ignore us.

As for Wayne Whitman....I would personally not support him for a few reasons related to my own personal interactions with him. But that is only one vote, and only one opinion. More importantly, I think again of the numbers game...District 14 comprises Cranbury Township, Hamilton Township, Jamesburg Borough, Monroe Township, Plainsboro Township, South Brunswick Township, West Windsor Township. A candidate from one of our larger neighboring towns would seemingly have the immediate advantage of having a larger base within which he or she has name recognition. A candidate from Cranbury would seemingly have to work harder to gain broader recognition within the district.

[Guest]

DeAngelo doesn't even pretend to represent Hamilton, his largest constituency. He got the job because of Roberts and the Union and that's who he serves. He doesn't need to bother attending public functions because he doesn't care. His votes are dictated by the Union he still works for full-time and where his bread is buttered.

He'll have the union membership vote locked up as a result but there needs to be a major educational campaign to help the rest of voters, regardless of party affiliation realize that he doesn't represent them.

[Guest]

What has Wayne Whitman done to help to reduce our COAH obligations? I've only heard negative things about him with respect to this topic.

[Guest]

Now that's funny. You must be talking to the other 4 and likely not even Tom. Wayne has worked very hard with Baroni who has opposed the COAH regs. The problem is our wonderful TC shuts out people who are not in their party. Wayne is the one voice of reason today. And yes, he hasn't reduced the COAH numbers. However,none of the others have either. In fact the others have publicly praised Greenstein.

[Guest]

I have noticed signs for Jim McSorley for Sheriff posted all over the place the last few months . I don't know who he is - But I surely remember his name (especially with the last name McSorley - reminds me of a pub I use to go to).

[Jersey Dad]

Despite our differing views on local affordable housing implementation strategy, Wittman would seem to be the obvious choice for Cranbury in the campaign of the Waynes. De Angelo is nothing more than an extra vote for Roberts.

That said, I would like to see Wayne Wittman support a more equitable and consistent affordable housing implementation strategy than what has been proposed thus far. Perhaps Wayne will speak up in support of the neighbors and the village residents on Thursday night.

[Cranbury Conservative]

Wayne Wittman would be an excellent choice to run for Greenstein’s seat since he would look out for the best interest of every town in our district.

Unlike Assemblywomen Greenstein who is only worried about doing what is politically expedient for her such as blindly supporting every initiative which Assembly Speaker Roberts presents to the legislature.

[James]

Yaede or Goodman running with Wittman would be a good combination ticket.

You need Hamilton in order to gain the votes, but you can't overload the ticket with two Hamilton candidates. That would hurt in representation from neigboring towns.

McSorley has not shown an ability to campaign or committ. Larkin was very vulnerable and he lost the election.

With Wayne he'd grab the Cranbury and Plainsboro votes.

What you need to do is:

- Knock on doors. That is the most critical aspect. If you don't do that then the Democrat candidate will win because the sheer numbers are in their favor.

- Bill Baroni is a key ally in endorsing the candidate.