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Sometimes, the most important question in politics is, to paraphrase Janet Jackson, "what have you won for me lately?" In New Jersey, politicians don't have to go away after losses - they can retool, reinvent themselves, and reemerge as winners. It's the Jersey Comeback.
We've seen it happen in statewide races - from Governor Whitman in 1993 after her 1990 Senate loss, to Governor McGreevey in 2001 after his 1997 general election loss. But, we've also seen the opposite - the repeat statewide loser - think Forrester for Senate in 2002 and for Governor in 2005, or Schundler for Governor in the 2001 general and the 2005 primary.
But, what kind of year is 2008 for the Jersey Comeback? So far, it has been a good one - for local comebacks anyway. We saw it happen earlier this year - when Dan Benson took office as a Mercer County Freeholder after an unsuccessful bid for Assembly in 2005. And, yesterday - it happened locally again.
First up - Ridgewood, where former 5th District Congressional Candidate Paul Aronsohn, who came up short in his bid for Congress in 2006, won his race for council along with 2 other challengers, ousting 2 incumbents, including the former frontrunner for mayor. The new 5-member council will choose the next mayor at its July 1 reorganization meeting. Don't be surprised if Paul emerges as the new frontrunner for mayor in this important 5th District town.
Next up - Bradley Beach, speaking of new mayors, you might remember Julie Schreck, who hitched her wagon to Dennis Kucinich's campaign and ably stumped for him at last year's NJ Presidential Caucus. Well, the Kucinich campaign didn't get very far, but Schreck dusted off, ran for mayor, and won.
The Jersey Comeback, a proud tradition - if at first you don't succeed, try try again. It's alive and well locally in 2008, but will it translate statewide?
Can Rob Andrews make the ultimate Jersey Comeback - over ten years out from his 1997 primary loss to McGreevey?
We'll know in just 3 weeks. But, you can vote in the poll right now.
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