Robert Gordon

The announcement that U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman will spend Election Day in Chicago with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama fuels speculation that the Congressman from Bergen County may be up for a post in the new administration.  Rothman has said he has no interest, but then again, that's what they all say just before they take the job.

Rothman has been interested in moving up to the United States Senate, and he clearly has his eye on the seat of 84-year-old Democrat Frank Lautenberg, who is expected to win re-election to a record fifth term tomorrow.  Rothman and other Democrats are already planning as if the Senate seat will open up in 2014, and the harsh reality is that many of the potential candidates get that it might not take that long.  An Obama administration post doesn't necessarily take Rothman out of contention for a U.S. Senate seat (indeed, it could actually propel him past other Democratic Congressmen), unless the seat opens up within the next year or two.  

If Rothman leaves, the front runner to replace him was supposed to be State Sen. Paul Sarlo.  But recent health issues for the 40-year-old Bergen County Democrat are considered serious, and that could take Sarlo out of the race if there is a special election early next year.

There is some chatter among Passaic County Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver that veteran State Sen. John Girgenti could be in his last term.  Girgenti, a legislator since 1977, is the last white male to represent a district where minority voters represent the majority of the district.  Two years ago, Assemblywoman Nellie Pou went as far as to present her name to the Passaic Democratic screening committee as a Senate candidate, but Girgenti—rather easily – secured party support for another term.  Pou, by the way, says she’s not interested in challenging the popular Girgenti in 2011. 

Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan in Newark on Tuesday night. 

NEWARK - They came together in Newark tonight in a public display of unity, the forces of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, all lining up behind Gov. Jon Corzine, who proclaimed his support for Obama in this governor’s fund-raiser for the Democratic State Committee.

"Yes, we can, and he will be the next president," shouted Corzine, echoing the campaign slogan of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

The Democrats raised over $500,000 tonight at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, according to party spokesman Richard McGrath, as part of a $5,000 VIP ticket, $1,500 per-person kick-start for what Corzine hopes will be blue state heaven for these Democrats come Nov. 4.

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero must be relieved that he broke up with attorney Dennis Oury last year, after published reports today suggest that federal prosecutors subpoenaed records relating to Oury’s legal service in several Bergen towns. Oury had been a close Ferriero ally and Counsel to the Bergen County Democratic Committee, but their relationship deteriorated in 2007 after Oury made a series of mistakes: he invited then-State Sen. Joseph Coniglio – himself the target of a federal criminal probe -- on a trip to Italy; he counseled Coniglio to stay in the Senate race during a time when Ferriero was pushing to get him out; and took considerable heat for his election season comments about a lawsuit he was filing to overturn state pay to play regulations. When Coniglio finally did drop, Oury’s close relationship with Paramus Mayor James Tedesco was the main reason Ferriero and Bergen Democrats opted to go with Bob Gordon for Senate.

Since the Bergen County-based 38th legislative district was created, every State Senator has eventually failed to win re-election. Republican Frederick Wendel, elected in 1971, lost to Democrat John Skevin in 1973. Skevin was defeated by Republican John Paolella in 1981, and Paolella was ousted by Democrat Paul Contillo in 1983. Contillo was unseated by Republican Louis Kosco in 1991, and Kosco lost in 2001 to Democrat Joseph Coniglio. Coniglio dropped his bid for a third term after the 2007 primary after published reports that he was the target of a federal criminal probe.  He was indicted last week.

Hillary Clinton campaigns in Hackensack today, where she was endorsed by Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero: Getty Images Photo

In her first public campaign stop in New Jersey since September, Hillary Clinton made an appearance tonight at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack to accept the endorsements of Bergen County Chairman Joe Ferriero and a host of other elected officials from the powerhouse.

The appearance came immediately after Clinton attended a $2,300 per head fundraiser at the Stony Hill Inn across town, and afterwards she was off to another rally to appeal to the Hispanic vote in North Bergen. Earlier today, she was in Pennsylvania to accept the endorsement of Gov. Ed Rendell.

The Hackensack crowd, which Clinton campaign officials estimated at 700 to hear Clinton speak at the school's gymnasium with 1,000 more overflowing into its auditorium, had to wait. Clinton arrived about an hour and a half late, leaving Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire to keep the crowd entertained, adlibbing jokes and poking fun at other elected officials.

ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING ACT CLEARS ASSEMBLY
Measure Would Make New Jersey Fifth State to Create Responsible System
For Collecting, Reusing, Disposing Chemical-Laden Computers, Televisions

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed legislation Assemblymen Reed Gusciora, John F. McKeon, Upendra J. Chivukula and Robert M. Gordon sponsored to establish a statewide collection and recycling program for used computers and other electronic products laced with toxic metals and dangerous chemicals

ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING ACT CLEARS FINAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE HURDLE
Measure Would Make New Jersey Fifth State to Create Responsible System
For Collecting, Reusing, Disposing Chemical-Laden Computers, Televisions

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Appropriations Committee today released legislation Assemblymen Reed Gusciora, John F. McKeon, Upendra J. Chivukula and Robert M. Gordon sponsored to establish a statewide collection and recycling program for used computers and other electronic products laced with toxic metals and dangerous chemicals.

Add Robert Colletti to the membership list of the Douglas Forrester Club: Republicans who were headed to the Senate, but were defeated when Democrats changed their candidates.  Colletti, a former Elmwood Park Councilman, looked like he would win the 38th district State Senate race last summer after incumbent Joseph Coniglio became the target of a federal criminal probe -- a Democratic poll confirmed exactly that.  But now, against Assemblyman Robert Gordon, Colletti doesn't have a chance.

The Record has endorsed the Democratic ticket in the 38th district: Robert Gordon for State Senate and Joan Voss and Connie Wagner for State Assembly.  MORE