Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 08:39:33 PM EDT
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We'll have to wait for confirmation tomorrow, but we get this big news from NJ.com:Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) is planning to announce Wednesday morning that he will not seek re-election this fall, ending a 22-year career in the Legislature, according to two top Democrats familiar with his plans.
Roberts, the most powerful figure in the lower house, plans to break the news to fellow South Jersey Democrats at an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting in Camden County, said the Democratic sources. They requested anonymity when speaking in advance of the announcement. Sources in the story say that Donald Norcross, co-chair of the Camden County Democrats and President of the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO will replace him on the ballot. Nearly no story will go without mentioning that he is also the brother of George Norcross. The 5th district is considered more of a safe Democratic district, but along with this move came speculation of further implications on the Senate:His departure also has implications for the upper house, where a leadership battle is brewing between Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester). Traditionally, if one leadership position is filled by a North Jersey Democrat, the other is filled by a South Jersey Democrat. Political experts have said that with Roberts leaving, a North Jersey Democrat could ascend to the speakership and boost Sweeney's chances of wresting power from Codey.
But one prominent Democratic legislator said Roberts' motives are straightforward.
"There is a desire for all regions of the state to be represented," said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), who said he had known Roberts was preparing to leave but did not know the announcement would come Wednesday. "But I don't believe that this announcement has anything to do with the senate presidency, I think it has to do with the fact that Joe's had a great career and wants to move on." There had been prior rumors that Sweeney was considering a challenge to Codey's position as Senate President. Things may not be done here however, because the Senator from the 5th District is Dana Redd, the likely next Mayor of Camden. So we may still see more domino's fall before this story is done. What do you think of the news and what are the wider implications of the Speaker not standing for re-election with the rest of the body up on the ballot? Another big question will be who becomes speaker if you assume that the Democrats maintain control after the election? |
| Jason Springer :: Report: Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts won't seek re-election |
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