Englewood Political Update
March 22, 2009 Filed in: Norman's
Corner
Last July
I suggested that the Democratic Primary Election
in June, 2009, might be highly contentious. Two
District 37 State Assembly Seats and the
positions of Englewood Mayor and Council
At-Large would all be on the ballot, and with
County Democratic Chair Joseph Ferriero then
riding high, each office seemed likely to be
contested by candidates allied with him versus
others he did not control. Since then, much
water has flowed under the bridge and the
expectation has altered significantly.
The first important new development was the indictment of Ferriero in September by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit fraud and mail fraud, and his stepping down as Party Chair. We suggested at the time that this would eliminate the threat of Ferriero-backed candidates running against incumbent Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson, and so it apparently has. The new party chair, David Kasparian, has publicly stated that he will not support opponents to Huttle and Johnson.
The next development was the announcement last month by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes that he will not seek a third term. This seems to have ended behind-the-scenes maneuvering among anti-Wildes elements in the local party to select a Primary opponent for him, and was followed by the announcement by Third Ward Councilman Scott Reddin of his candidacy for Mayor, and later by the candidacy of Bergen PAC Chairman Frank Huttle. The Democratic Municipal Committee on March 18 officially endorsed Huttle. Reddin has indicated his intention to oppose Huttle in June Primary, and there is speculation whether a third Wildes-endorsed candidate may also enter the race.
The Council At-Large seat is currently held by Johnson, who has been criticized for dual office holding. Johnson had been under pressure from his supporters to run again, but was reluctant, and finally declined to do so. Democratic Municipal Chair Dierdre Glenn Paul officially declared her candidacy, but was not endorsed by her Committee, which this week backed newcomer Lynne Algrant instead. Algrant, a relatively recent resident of Englewood, has a background in consulting for not-for-profit organizations. It is not known at this time what if any Primary opposition she will face.
The County Chair has a role in local elections in that he has the statutory authority to place primary candidates in the official party column on the primary election ballot. For example, this June, he will designate those who are listed under Governor Corzine. In primary contests this is often a huge advantage. Although County Chair Kasparian has indicated he will not interfere in District 37, he is not known to have made such a commitment in Englewood. We hope, however, that he will not follow Ferriero’s pattern of ignoring the wishes of the local organization when he makes his designation.
The first important new development was the indictment of Ferriero in September by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit fraud and mail fraud, and his stepping down as Party Chair. We suggested at the time that this would eliminate the threat of Ferriero-backed candidates running against incumbent Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson, and so it apparently has. The new party chair, David Kasparian, has publicly stated that he will not support opponents to Huttle and Johnson.
The next development was the announcement last month by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes that he will not seek a third term. This seems to have ended behind-the-scenes maneuvering among anti-Wildes elements in the local party to select a Primary opponent for him, and was followed by the announcement by Third Ward Councilman Scott Reddin of his candidacy for Mayor, and later by the candidacy of Bergen PAC Chairman Frank Huttle. The Democratic Municipal Committee on March 18 officially endorsed Huttle. Reddin has indicated his intention to oppose Huttle in June Primary, and there is speculation whether a third Wildes-endorsed candidate may also enter the race.
The Council At-Large seat is currently held by Johnson, who has been criticized for dual office holding. Johnson had been under pressure from his supporters to run again, but was reluctant, and finally declined to do so. Democratic Municipal Chair Dierdre Glenn Paul officially declared her candidacy, but was not endorsed by her Committee, which this week backed newcomer Lynne Algrant instead. Algrant, a relatively recent resident of Englewood, has a background in consulting for not-for-profit organizations. It is not known at this time what if any Primary opposition she will face.
The County Chair has a role in local elections in that he has the statutory authority to place primary candidates in the official party column on the primary election ballot. For example, this June, he will designate those who are listed under Governor Corzine. In primary contests this is often a huge advantage. Although County Chair Kasparian has indicated he will not interfere in District 37, he is not known to have made such a commitment in Englewood. We hope, however, that he will not follow Ferriero’s pattern of ignoring the wishes of the local organization when he makes his designation.
