June 1, 2007 - 9:18am
Ex-Assemblywoman to be new Ocean Prosecutor
By Wally EdgeUsually the Governor announces his own appointments, but this week Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas Kelaher said that his successor will be Marlene Lynch Ford, a former Democratic Assemblywoman from Ocean County.
Ford was first elected to the Legislature in 1983, defeating one-term Republican Warren Wolf (who had won an open Assembly seat in 1981 when Hazel Gluck unsuccessfully sought to move up to the Senate in a race against John Russo). At age 29, she is among the youngest women to ever win election to the New Jersey State Assembly.
She was defeated for re-election to a second term in 1985 by Republican Robert Singer, the Mayor of Lakewood; she lost a comeback bid against Singer in 1987, and served as Assembly Democratic Counsel in 1988 and 1989. She returned to the Assembly in 1989, ousting Singer from his seat. She lost again in 1991 -- this time, after redistricting, to David Wolfe and Virginia Haines.
Singer, who has represented Ocean County in the State Senate since 1993, has now signed off on his onetime rival -- but then again, Singer has gotten over his extreme contempt for some Ocean County Democrats in the 1980's. One of the Democrats he strongly disliked -- then Senate President John Russo -- is now his father-in-law.
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family
John Russo is married to Robert Singer's mother? That must be interesting.
Ford is a good choice, but question?
Ford has been a superior court judge for the last 15 years. She is leaving the bench to be prosecutor? While not unprecedented, that is unusual. As an assemblywoman, Ford was singlehandedly responsibile for the inclusion of gays and lesbians in New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination. She should be a hero to all progressives.
Russo as Singer's father-in-law
A father-in-law is the father of one's spouse. Russo is not Singer's stepfather.
Judge Ford
Congratulations to Governor Corzine for choosing such a remarkable person as the next Ocean County Prosecutor. Throughout her legislative and judicial career, Marlene Lynch Ford has always comported herself with dignity, intelligence, compassion and fairness. Many might forget that as chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, she refused to delay debate on the assault weapons bill although she was threatened and the State Police were brought in to ensure public safety. So add courage to her list of attributes. And to the person who termed her a progressive, taken note that Senator Len Connors, who could only be construed as a conservative, told the Asbury Park Press today that he is signing off on her nomination.
Stupid
Figure it out Mr. Stupicrat. Bob Singer is married to Russo's daughter. What is your family tree - a stick?