Primaries all over the state for the GOP

by: Jason Springer

Tue Feb 16, 2010 at 10:45:00 AM EST

I do not think Leonard Lance can be beaten in a Republican Primary. Even if David Larsen won, he would be cut out in redistricting in 2012."

Then in the seats held by Democrats, there are a few primary races to run against the Incumbent. There are numerous candidate running in the 3rd district and Justin Murphy could also get support from the tea partiers as he runs again this year. There is also the primary to run against Rush Holt as Mike Halfacre and Scott Sipprelle will face off in a right v. further right battle and there may be more candidates to jump in the race. Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and others have expressed interest in challenging to run against Frank Pallone as well. The tea partiers are even saying they may put someone up against Scott Garrett from the right, if that's possible in comments to stories that are being written. The amount of candidate running in GOP primaries can be seen as an indication of the enthusiasm and also anger out there with the public right now, who only want to see 8% of incumbent re-elected right now.

By contrast, the Democrats in New Jersey don't seem to like primaries as much. The only primary challenge I've seen so far is one against John Adler, but his warchest will make that an uphill climb. I know inside political circles they tend to shy away from primaries, because it makes you spend resources you want to conserve for the general election battle and take stands you often don't want to defend. But sometimes primaries can better prepare candidates for the trial by fire that is a general election campaign. Even if the GOP candidates don't win their primary challenges, the incumbents will already be in campaign mode given the voter angst right now. The competitive primaries to challenge Democratic incumbents will season them for the rigors of a race. With the climate  and public opinion where it is, it's important that candidates don't wait to start their campaigns and these primaries insure that the GOP won't.

DGA conference call

by: Hopeful

Sat Dec 05, 2009 at 11:15:02 AM EST

Much of the discussion was about specific states that are off-topic for this blog, so I'll just comment on what I was interested in. Nathan Daschle, the Executive Director, introduced the new newly elected DGA chair, Governor Jack Markell of Delaware. Daschle boasted that Markell won his 2008 primary "against all odds," and Markle emphasized that he "would not be governor with the endorsement of online organizers."

So naturally I took the opportunity to ask about primaries, pointing out that his primary not only led to his victory but gave us a great candidate for the House. Did the DGA, I asked, plan to "encourage primaries?" Well, I could hardly ask it without laughing, but Governor Markell very nicely said discussed his experiences in Delaware and said that it was the DGA's principle to let the electorate decided. He called in Daschle, who pointed to the DGA's role in Virginia this year. While the primary was being sorted out there, DGA was able to go on the attack and try to define the Republicans. He also noted that Obama was strengthened by the primary process, so perhaps the value of primaries is being appreciated more."Let the electorates decide" was also his slogan. Anyway, I just wanted to push the concept.

New Jersey's Democratic Party would really benefit from primaries. As it is, primaries are avoided at all costs, and occur only when one set of political bosses can't agree, or try to pull off a coup. Then people whine to press that they should have been the candidate, or whine that it's outrageous someone else broke a secret pact to not have a primary. You know what I'm talking about.  

Let me be a Lover, not a Fighter

by: Jeff Gardner

Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 09:40:31 AM EST

But, I don't have time for any of those things. Why? Because I'm still fighting for equality.

And, one of the more frustrating things about this fight is the misinformation that gets spread about the political ramifications of taking action - that somehow voting for equality could be risky. In fact, the opposite is true - voting against equality is the real risk.

Let's be clear: pro-equality incumbents are reelected at a higher rate than anti-equality incumbents.

And, if history is any guide - and the marriage battle in Massachusetts is now, mercifully, history - anti-equality Democrats from solidly Democratic districts get primaried and lose. Just ask 20-year incumbent loser Marie Parente:

Outspoken state Representative Marie Parente of Milford, one of Beacon Hill's most conservative voices for more than 20 years, was defeated yesterday in her bid for another term. She was the only incumbent legislator to lose a primary fight.

Sciortino was first elected to the house in 2004, defeating sixteen-year incumbent Democrat Vincent Ciampa in a bitter contest. The 34th Middlesex district is heavily Democratic and the primary election [wa]s the key contest.... Ciampa, an opponent of same-sex marriage, faced Sciortino, who is openly gay.

But, every time I read about a New Jersey Democratic legislator who is on the fence on the issue of marriage equality - a core Democratic issue which enjoys the overwhelming support of New Jersey democratic voters - it makes me wonder: Do these incumbents really want to fight?

Does this get you thinking about NJ's incumbents?

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Mar 11, 2009 at 11:55:55 AM EDT

When Accountability Now - a new national PAC - rolled out a couple of weeks ago, there were some dustups about what its purpose was. Were founders like Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos and Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake and the high-octane groups aligning with them really going flat out after moderate electeds of their own party? That's the kind of thing some of the headlines suggested.

But Accountability Now's new Executive Director Jeff Hauser, who ran Dennis Shulman's interesting but ultimately unsuccessful challenge to Rep. Scott Garrett last year, has it clear:

He talks about watching Democrats, the new power, being showered with lobbyist attention, and the risk that incumbents of his own party might begin to toe K Street's line or succumb to D.C. groupthink, just like Republicans did. The rationale makes sense. Incumbency is a cushy advantage; reelection almost a reflexive privilege. That leaves incumbents vulnerable to losing touch with their own districts, and caving to the demands of corporate interests. The organizational support AN hopes to provide - to challengers - is designed to making it more likely that if incumbents get out of touch they'll have a serious primary challenge.  It's designed to get them looking over their shoulder and not too comfortably. Incumbents doing right by their districts, he says, have little to fear from AN.

How will AN zero in on their targets? Watershed votes on issues like economic recovery, the budget, healthcare, Employee Free Choice, energy/climate change and immigration reform will be watched. And polling will study the districts.

Hauser sat down for an on line chat with Blue Jersey yesterday. He calls the current system dysfunctional:

[snip] Unlike you or I, who are reviewed in our work constantly, members of Congress too often get a free pass.

AN wants to connect prospective candidates - viable candidates with fundraising mojo or the clear ability to attract resources - with national, people-powered movements, like MoveOn, SEIU, DailyKos, ColorOfChange.org, 21st Century Democrats and BlogPAC. And Democracy for America (DFA).

DFA Chair Jim Dean called in on Blue Jersey Radio last night, to underscore DFA's enthusiasm for the way vigorous primaries empower voters. Dean:

If this party embraces that, we're going to be around end prosper for a long time. But if it reverts to the power of incumbency we saw during the Clinton administration we're going to be out on our ass.

Why I'm Not Voting Today

by: Thurman Hart

Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 03:30:14 PM EDT

If you want to hear more, click on through.  If not; then just move along.  Nothing here to see.

The Delegates of Florida and Michigan

by: Hopeful

Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:12:28 PM EDT

The rules for 2008 seek to give incentives for states to schedule their primaries later in the season.  The key is that these are incentives only, so that if New Jersey moves up to February 5 we will not lose any delegates.  Since our original date was in June, we would receive a 10% bonus for remaining there.  (This is a reward for "good behavior.")  By the way, if we moved back to June from an earlier date, we would have gotten a 30% bonus.

Well, we could have had another 11 delegates if our Presidential election is next week, but that's not the point.  The rules were plain -- even an amateur (me) could understand them.  Since the minimum penalty was 1/2 the delegates, today's decision on Florida and Michigan's delegations is appropriate.  Perhaps New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina should have penalized too, but frankly as a New Jersey voter I have no interest in what order the four early votes go before us.  

"Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends."

by: Dvd Avins

Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:47:53 PM EDT

Loyalty is a fine quality, but in excess it fills political graveyards.

That first year, the only difficult part was the Assembly primary, where we won resoundingly. The general election only attracted attention because we needed a big margin and a well-rehearsed organization for a congressional primary the following year.

Part of the attention we attracted was help from the head of a small but quite active town Young Democratic club. He wasn't even old enough to vote and his town was in a completely different part of the county from the legislative district. But he was tall, handsome, personable, and the son of a councilman, and his presence was both useful to us and raised his own profile (as well as a few eyebrows) in the county as a whole.

The next Spring, he signed on to the congressional campaign, which we weren't at all sure he would do. And with his town inside the congressional district, he and his Young Democrat crew became most of our field operation in his town.

Until one day, when they were partway through a multi-day lit drop for us, I got a call from the one ideologically motivated young volunteer we had in that town. He alerted me that the local Young Democrats were out distributing literature for the opposing candidate. As he later explained to me (we worked together for several years afterward) our personable Young leader had figured out that we were probably going to lose, and in any case, there were many more people on the other side that it was to his advantage to work with.

But I can't help but wonder, if Andrews truly is looking at another state-wide run next year, how likely he thinks the ongoing support of my old friend is. And I wonder what my old friend thinks about that, too.

At least they all play from the same playbook. Some may live by and expect from others a degree of loyalty to others or to one's own word that makes one's behavior rather predictable. The manner of Andrews' entry into the race clearly places him outside such naive circles. So here's to Neal Kinnock and an interesting 2009.

What is the Effect of Contested Primaries

by: Thurman Hart

Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 09:21:47 PM EDT

The most directly relevant article was Andrew Hacker's "Does a Divisive Primary Harm a Candidate's Election Chances" (see?  I went to college.  I can figure these things out).  That was published in 1965.  I'll get to the results after the fold, but let's just deal with some problems in modeling really quickly.

No one has used New Jersey's statewide races as a case study for exploring this issue.  Thus, direct applicability is lacking.  Second, no one has really looked at this in a while.  Many things have changed since 1965, and electioneering is one of those things. Third, each type of race has its own dynamics - a Presidential race is very different from a Senate race and both are different still from a House race or a Governor's race.  Finally, there is always some degree of speculation with these things - we political science types have not yet been able to get elections run repeatedly under the same circumstance.  

Primary Predictions!

by: Jeff Gardner

Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 02:38:45 PM EST

2. I predict that if Hillary Clinton is our nominee, that Loretta Weinberg will become a tireless advocate for Clinton in New Jersey.

3. I predict record turnout for a democratic primary in NJ.

I can make the first two predictions with confidence because I know that good people can strenuously disagree about their choice of who should be our party's nominee, while remaining steadfast in their commitment to winning the Whitehouse.

I can make the third prediction because I know that open primaries are a vital part of democracy, and do more to strengthen a party by engaging its members to chart the party's direction, than anything primary naysayers can throw up as reasons not to welcome them.

Note the term "open" primaries. That's not what we are accustomed to here. Our system in New Jersey has long discouraged candidates from "challenging" the establishment choice (often, the choice solely of the County Chair or unelected "Executive Committee"), or stacked the odds so prohibitively in favor of that establishment choice as to make such a challenge a fool's errand.

I hope it's not lost in the takeaway from tomorrow's primary how incredible the power of a contested primary can be to get people energized, engaged, and involved. All it takes is (1) a political culture that accepts primaries; (2) a ballot that is not rigged in favor of one candidate over others; and (3) democrats who stand together behind the nominee that emerges.

I've thought this for a long time, but this year's presidential primary is proving the point. I predict if we insist on these 3 simple steps, we will end up with a government more accountable to the electorate, more leaders beholden to voters rather than special interests, and an inspired, unbeatable democratic party.

Opening the Party to All

by: Time2Lead

Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 04:27:25 PM EST

The Legislature has the highest number of women legislators in history. Many have pointed to the role that indictments and resignations due to corruption have played. In Mercer, the Freeholder Board has 3 out of 7 women holding office and a number of female Legislators. In addition, those indictments have not touched Mercer Democrats. How? The Democratic Chair, Rich McClellan, credits an open convention system.

Hot news from the political ball game in WA

by: DottieG

Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 09:08:20 PM EDT

Here's the Progressive Majority's report:

In Washington state's Tuesday's primary election, 11 of our 27 candidates faced primaries, many of them stiff challenges.

As of this morning, 10 of our 11 candidates have won their primaries and moved on to the general election this November.

Snohomish County: A New Progressive Majority.
The most important race in the primary was for Snohomish County Council, where Brian Sullivan won the Democratic nomination against a long-time elected official. As his district is strongly Democratic, he faces only token conservative opposition in the general election. Sullivan replaces a conservative Democrat and changes the balance of power on the council from conservatives to progressives!

We have been working on the Snohomish County Council since we opened our doors in Washington in 2004 when the council had a 4-1 conservative majority. In 2005, we helped Dave Somers get elected. Now this fall we have one other Snohomish County Council race. If our candidate Mike Cooper wins in November, we will have a 4-1 progressive majority! Now, that's PROGRESS!

Big Upset in Port of Seattle, but the battle isn't over yet.  Progressive Majority candidate Gael Tarleton led incumbent Seattle Port Commissioner Bob Edwards. In fact, Edwards is at a lowly 28%!!!! The progressive community has been fighting for a majority on the port for years; this year we have our best chance in years to win. It's time for change, and Gael is ready to deliver that change!

Here is a complete list of results from the Washington State primary. As Washington is a vote-by-mail state, the numbers can change, but we're confident in our predications:

County Offices

John Lovick - Snohomish County Sherriff
Won! Faces a tough general election.

Brian Sullivan - Snohomish County Council, District 2
Won! Faces token opposition in the general.

Bob Kelly - Whatcom County Council, District 1, Position B
Won! Currently leading other candidates 2:1.

City Offices:

Dan McShane - Bellingham Mayor
Won! The leading vote-getter over 6 primary opponents.

Maureen Judge - Mercer Island City Council, Position 3. Won! The leading vote getter over 3 primary opponents.

Terry Scott - Shoreline City Council, Position 6. Won! While the election results are close, he will advance to the general election and held an incumbent to 35%!

Marilyn Strickland - Tacoma City Council, At Large, Won! The leading vote-getter in a four-way primary.

De'Sean Quinn - Tukwila City Council, Position 2. Lost in a three-way primary.

Ron Bonlender - Yakima City Council, District 3. Won! Bonlender will face strong opposition this fall.

Seattle Port Commission:

Alec Fisken - Position 5. Won! Alec will face a very strong race this fall against a very well-funded opponent.

Gael Tarleton - Position 2. Won! Leading a 6-way primary over an 8-year incumbent.

News Roundup and Open Thread for Wednesday, June 6, 2007

by: Hopeful

Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 09:23:10 AM EDT

In bitterly contested primaries, 13 of 15 Garden State Equality-endorsed candidates win

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:37:12 AM EDT

How Garden State Equality's endorsed candidates did: 

District 31 (Hudson County)
Sandra Bolden Cunningham for Senate - WINS
L. Harvey Smith for Assembly - WINS 
Nicholas Chiaravalloti - LOSES

District 32 (Hudson County)
Joan Quigley for Assembly - WINS 
Vincent Prieto for Assembly - WINS 

District 33 (Hudson County)
Brian Stack for Senate - WINS 
Ruben Ramos for Assembly - WINS
Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly - WINS 

District 28 (Essex County)
Cleo Tucker for Assembly - WINS

District 29 (Essex County)
Teresa Ruiz for Senate - WINS
L. Grace Spencer for Assembly - WINS
Wilfredo Caraballo - LOSES 

District 37 (Bergen County)
Loretta Weinberg for Senate - WINS
Valerie Vainieri Huttle for Assembly - WINS
Gordon Johnson for Assembly - WINS
[In this closely fought primary, their opponents dropped out before tonight.]

"As tonight's results show, ending discrimination in marriage is not only the correct position to advocate," said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, "but it's also the politically beneficial position in our progressive state.  Never in the history of New Jersey has advocacy for LGBT rights ever been a political liability, and that certainly holds true tonight." 

Garden State Equality, along with the New Jersey Stonewall Democrats and the Hudson Diversity Action Council, were united in their endorsements of tonight's pro-marriage equality victors.  In the Hudson County races, Garden State Equality congratulates the Hudson Diversity Action Council for its tremendous grassroots work. 

In the most closely fought Democratic primary in the state today, Sandy Cunningham defeated Assemblyman Lou Manzo for state Senate in the 31st district in Hudson County. 

"When candidates stand by us, we're as loyal as any community in the state," said Barbra Casbar Siperstein, president of New Jersey Stonewall Democrats.  "When they turn their backs on equality, they're going to pay the price." 

In the 33rd legislative district in Hudson County, the insurgent team headed by Brian Stack for Senate, and Carrie Rodriguez and Ruben Ramos for Assembly, beat the legendary Hudson County Democratic Organization in an overwhelming victory.  All had the strong support of Garden State Equality, Hudson Diversity Action Council and New Jersey Stonewall Democrats. 

In Essex County, Cleo Tucker won her Assembly race in the 28th district, and Teresa Ruiz and L. Grace Spencer won for Senate and Assembly respectively in the 29th district.  They had the endorsements of Garden State Equality and New Jersey Stonewall Democrats. 

The biggest loss of the night for civil rights supporters, including the LGBTI community, was that of Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wilfredo Caraballo.  After a dispute with local Democratic leaders, he ran alone, not on any ticket, and had an extraordinarily uphill battle. 

"Our love for Fred Caraballo is profound.  He's been one of the most brilliant, compassionate and effective civil rights champions in all America," said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality.  "He has given his life to help the disinherited, disenchanted and dispossessed.  He's too talented and too wonderful a man not to have another chapter in his public service career, and we are excited to work with him in whatever capacity in the years ahead."

In Bergen County, Senator Loretta Weinberg, a hero to the LGBTI community who has sponsored every major LGBTI civil rights law in her 15 years in the legislature, won, as did her equally terrific running mates, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson.  Just a few weeks ago, their primary looked like it would be the hottest primary of the year.

But in a grassroots victory for labor and progressive organizations, Loretta, Valerie and Gordon's opponents dropped out in April.

Upset City in Morris County Freeholder Race

by: MrLiberal

Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 10:53:33 PM EDT

In Morris County, the GOP had its open primary for Freeholder. An elderly frequent candidate, James "Jim" Murray decided to run, and was initially kicked off the ballot by County GOP boss John Sette. Murray was successful in getting back on the ballot, however. Now, he has his revenge. With 97% of the vote in, he's ousted Freeholder John Inglesino from his seat! Results in the extended entry...

On seeing my name on a ballot for the first time

by: MrLiberal

Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 11:48:11 AM EDT

Today is not the first time I will be voting (my fourth, actually), but it is the first time I have seen my name on an official ballot.

Today is not the first time I have run for an office (I was active in my high school political organization, JSA, and ran for Mayor of the group in 2005), but it is the first time I am running to serve with adults, not just people of my own age.

Today I am voting for myself for Union County (NJ) Democratic Committeeman. It is a strange feeling, to say the least.

Garden State Equality's 2007 primary endorsements

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Mon May 21, 2007 at 01:37:20 AM EDT

Some explanation is in order on this odd political year in Essex and Hudson.  Several legislative candidates long allied with one another -- candidates who previously ran together on the same column on the ballot -- are running against each other in different columns.  The new alliances emanate from behind-the-scenes political wars that have little to do with issues, and much to do with turf and perceived slights.  The alliances are asking organizations like Garden State Equality to endorse their entire columns or not at all.

We at Garden State Equality reject that approach, and so should you.  We endorse the candidates best on our issues, regardless of column.  Imagine that.

Garden State Equality's endorsements are based on the records of, and interviews with, the candidates. 

Some of our endorsed candidates are running on the local party-endorsed column.  Some of our endorsed candidates are not running on the local party-endorsed column.  If you are a Democratic voter in Essex or Hudson, or anywhere else in New Jersey for that matter, you are always free to vote for candidates across columns. 

All of Garden State Equality's endorsed candidates meet the following criteria:  (a)  They would vote for marriage equality.  (b)  They would vote for strengthening the state's hate crimes law, including adding hate crimes based on a victim's gender identity or expression.  (c)  They would vote for a comprehensive syringe exchange program that will save the lives of many people with HIV/AIDS.  (d)  If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the civil unions law -- candidates who abstained or voted no would certainly not vote for marriage equality.  (e)  If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the transgender equality law.

We remind you that in New Jersey, each legislative district is represented by one state Senator and two Assembly members.  Thus you can vote for one Senate candidate and one or two candidates for Assembly.

Note that if you live in District 27 in Essex, encompassing part of Newark and all of Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Maplewood, North Caldwell, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell and West Orange, the incumbents face no primary on June 5th.  They are Senator Dick Codey, Assemblyman John McKeon and Assemblyman Mims Hackett, all splendid champions of equality whom we strongly support for reelection in November.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS

District 28, Essex (Part of Newark, all of Belleville, Bloomfield and Irvington):  Cleopatra Tucker for Assembly.

For the Assembly, Garden State Equality endorses Cleopatra Tucker.  She runs the Donald K. Tucker Centre in Newark, a comprehensive community center for both children and senior citizens that has done so much to lift up so many throughout the city.  The Centre is named after Cleo's husband, the late Assemblyman Donald K. Tucker.  Cleo is an impressive grassroots activist in her own right who has the support of our allies, Mayor Cory Booker and city councilwoman Dana Rone.

Garden State Equality stops just short of an endorsement of, but confers "preferred candidate" status on, Bilal Beasley for state Senate and Ralph Caputo for Assembly.  They said they personally support marriage equality but have not made up their minds on legislation yet.  This makes them preferable to the incumbents, particularly Senator Ron Rice, who abstained on civil unions and is the state legislature's leading opponent of syringe exchange. 

District 29, Essex/Union (Part of Newark, all of Hillside):  Teresa Ruiz for state Senate.  Wilfredo Caraballo for Assembly.  L. Grace Spencer for Assembly.

Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the reelection of Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo.  As Speaker Pro Tem and as a professor of constitutional law at Seton Hall, Fred is an intellectual powerhouse who ranks among the most effective civil rights champions anywhere in America.  With passion, soaring oratory and a grasp of public policy second to very few, Fred has been a quarterback on a wide range of pro-LGBTI legislation.  He guided the civil unions law to passage while making clear that the law is not equality -- and that the fight for real marriage equality must be won soon.  He and his staff work in close partnership with Garden State Equality.  No matter where in New Jersey you may live, if you have to donate your time or money to just one candidate this primary season, please consider Fred.  Checks are payable to "Election Fund of Wilfredo Caraballo" and should be mailed to Caraballo for Assembly, 562 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104.  Fred's campaign office number is (973) 485-8701.  New Jersey election law requires that for donations of $300.01 and above, you provide your occupation, employer and employer's address.

Garden State Equality debated whether to endorse Fred alone, or to also endorse one other Assembly candidate for the two Assembly seats.  In a close call, we endorse L. Grace Spencer for the other Assembly seat, an attorney who has worked with members of the LGBTI community and has an impressive grasp of the issues.  The third candidate running for the two Assembly seats is Albert Coutinho.  Though he would make a fine Assembly member, Coutinho described himself as close, but not there yet, on marriage equality.  We believe he is persuadable, but Caraballo and Spencer are there already.

Garden State Equality endorses Teresa Ruiz for state Senate, running unopposed in the primary.  Ruiz, a top aide to County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, wowed us when interviewed her.  She is formidably direct, progressive and off-the-charts charismatic.  She spoke movingly of the harm inflicted on her LGBTI friends who cannot marry.  Her experience working for the County Executive, himself a staunch ally of the LGBTI community and an absolute pleasure to work with, has been invaluable.  Ruiz will be a superstar in Trenton.

District 31, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Bayonne):  Sandra Cunningham for state Senate.  Nicholas Chiaravalloti for Assembly.  L. Harvey Smith for Assembly.

Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Nicholas Chiaravalloti to the Assembly.  We leaders of the LGBTI community and other progressive communities know Nicholas well through his years of service as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez's state director.  Beyond being a smart, hardworking ally of the LGBTI community and a supporter of every LGBTI issue, Nicholas is everything Hudson County needs.  He is an accessible, progressive reformer who articulates a compelling vision of a more accountable, open government.  He would be a breath of fresh air in Trenton.

For the other Assembly seat, Garden State Equality endorses L. Harvey Smith.  As a state Senator in 2003, Smith declined to vote on the narrow domestic partnership bill whose achievement was to gave same-sex partners the right to visit one another in the hospital.  Today, Smith says he was wrong.  "I've come a long way," he says, "and I believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry like everyone else."  Voters should reward that kind of honesty and growth.

Garden State Equality endorses Sandra Bolden Cunningham for the state Senate.  Well-known to voters as the widow of former state Senator and Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham, Sandy has a rich history of her own progressive activism and has worked closely with the LGBTI community.  She is an extremely articulate voice for justice.  We support her over Lou Manzo, currently an Assembly member, in a race where both candidates support marriage equality but where she is more passionate about the issue.  Manzo said he would not be a leader on the issue.  In a district with one of the largest LGBTI communities in the state, that's not good enough.

District 32, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Harrison, Secaucus, Kearny and North Bergen):  Joan Quigley for Assembly.  Vince Prieto for Assembly.

Garden State Equality endorses Joan Quigley for reelection to the Assembly, where she is Majority Conference Leader, the third highest ranking member of the chamber.  Quigley has been a leader on every LGBTI issue over the years.  She has soared even further in our eyes as she has taken on the rabidly anti-LGBTI author Ann Coulter in the media. 

Garden State Equality also endorses Assemblyman Vince Prieto, Deputy Majority Whip and another progressive who supports marriage equality.

Senator Nicholas Sacco, running for reelection, did not return calls. 

District 33, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Hoboken, Union City, West New York and Weehawken):  Brian Stack for state Senate.  Ruben Ramos for Assembly.  Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly.

Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Brian Stack to the state Senate.  Were there a list of the 10 most interesting people in New Jersey politics, Stack would surely be on it.  As reviled as he is by the local party machine for being independent, Stack, now an Assembly member and mayor of Union City, is beloved by his constituents.  It's understandable:  Stack picks up garbage from the streets, works around the clock and is accessible to all.  He's also one of the most pro-active leaders we've ever worked with.  Just before last fall's New Jersey Supreme Court decision came down, he called us to say he would introduce a marriage equality bill were the decision to fall short.  We didn't even have to ask, and he's been like that on every LGBTI issue over the years.  Brian Stack in the state Senate could make all the difference in that chamber for marriage equality.

Garden State Equality also endorses Ruben Ramos and Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly, two proteges of Stack who share his passion and his views.  This is one team Garden State Equality is proud to endorse in its entirety.

Corzine Won't Support "Outstanding Senator"

by: dfa_lewis

Wed Mar 07, 2007 at 10:33:53 PM EST

Perhaps the most disappointing news comes at the very end of the article:

Governor Corzine said Tuesday he would sit this one out.

"It's a different situation this time," he said. "I have tended to choose not to get into party fights. I think Loretta Weinberg is an outstanding senator."

Who is Michael Wildes? Cid Wilson? Ken Zisa (Kenny won't be difficult)

by: lsanchez490

Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 03:34:39 AM EST

Michael Wildes for Congress

I guess one must respect Michael for fantasizing to be more than just the Mayor of Englewood. After all, he is no longer 'boy wonder' and must be painfully conscious of the looming and dreaded 'has been' status. He has goals and a vision for his future. We must all have goals and a vision for our future. For further reading I will include some memorable bits  that Englewoodians enjoyed during the Wildes v. Stern matchup.
To be fair, I must include a link to Dr. Stern's website.

Bob Stern for Mayor 

For those of you looking for a multimedia experience, try the following links:

Meet the Real Michael Wildes 

Inside the Mind of Michael Wildes 

and one more...

Vote Against Scare Tactics 

As far as Mr. Wilson is concerned, I will have to confess that as a Latin American Democrat, I do not know what to make of Mr. Wilson and his decision to add his name to that of Kenny and Michael. I will provide some links with basic biographical information on Mr. Wilson. I do not know anything about his politics. But I will say that he has a most impressive resume. And were his name not attached to that of Zisa and Wildes, I would have to be very impressed by a Dominican-American Latin American success story. But the fact that he has lent his name to complete the Ferriero-crat Triumvirate tears me to pieces.

Wally Edge's Primary Targets

by: JRB

Wed Dec 20, 2006 at 12:43:50 PM EST

At the top of the list of potential targets is the Rev. Alfred Steele, the Assembly State Government Committee Chairman who is seeking a seventh term in the solidly-Democratic 35th district next year. Steele abstained on the Civil Union vote, and the conservative New Jersey Family Policy Council said that Steele will sponsor the "Equal Benefits Act" -- legislation that would offer civil benefits to same-sex couples but also define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Steele has not confirmed or denied his agreement to sponsor this bill.)

Also on the possible target list is Assemblyman Joseph Egan, the Assembly Labor Committee Chairman. Egan's political base, New Brunswick (where he has been a City Councilman since 1981), has a large gay population, and Democratic primary voters in Highland Park are considered fairly liberal.

Nilsa Cruz-Perez, a Camden County Democrat, and Gary Schaer, a freshman Democrat who represents parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties, were the other two Democrats to abstain on Civil Unions.

Democratic State Senators Wayne Bryant, Joseph Doria and Ronald Rice also abstained on the vote. There is a strong chance that all three could lose Democratic Party support for re-election next year, but not because of Civil Unions. Bryant is reportedly under investigation by federal prosecutors, Doria has local political problems in Hudson County, and Rice is expected to be replaced at the request of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who won 75% of the vote against Rice in the May 2006 mayoral election.

Hey AP, Liberal Voters Have Power Too!

by: Hopeful

Sat Oct 28, 2006 at 09:06:18 PM EDT

The article notes:

Both states have seen political ramifications from same-sex marriage legislation.

In Vermont, eighteen lawmakers who supported the unions were replaced by conservatives who did not, and Republicans took control of the Legislature. Four years later, though, Democrats were back in charge.

So far, so good.  Anti-gay marriage forces may have had a short-lived victory.  And then...

Massachusetts lawmakers voted 16 times on various measures on whether to ask voters whether they support amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage in the future. So far, none of the lawmakers who have voted against the amendment have lost re-election bids.

But Kristian Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, said that could change Nov. 7, when lawmakers are up for election again.

Again, it is nice that they tell us that no one who supports gay marriage lost due to a conservative backlash.  But notice something?  Bluejersey readers should. 

This article assumes that only conservative voters can knock someone out of office.  Liberals, of course, are always weak in media narratives, although I think the reporters are not even aware they've internalized this view.  But in fact, the "political ramifications" of same-sex marriage has been the defeat of anti-marriage conservatives.

Exhibit one:  Marie Parante defeated September 2006.

Outspoken state Representative Marie Parente of Milford, one of Beacon Hill's most conservative voices for more than 20 years, was defeated yesterday in her bid for another term. She was the only incumbent legislator to lose a primary fight.

(snip)

Parente, who was first elected in the early 1980s, is a vocal and staunch opponent of same-sex marriage and extending benefits to undocumented workers.

This is in addition to many open primary seats that were won by the pro-gay marriage candidates over the anti-gay marriage candidates in both 2005 and 2006.  See more by MassEquality. 

So, don't forget.  We can win. Conservatives are not the only ones who vote, and when conservatives lose office, that's a "political consequence."