February 13, 2007 - 2:42pm

Next year, a new Senate

There is a good chance that a pair of Senators with substantial baggage will be replaced by two women a generation younger. Camden County Democrats have picked Dana Redd, a 38-year-old Camden City Councilwoman to replace Wayne Bryant, while Teresa Ruiz, 32, the Essex County Democratic Vice Chairwoman, is a leading candidate for the seat currently held by Sharpe James.

Redd would become the third African American women in the Senate (joining Shirley Turner and Nia Gill), while Ruiz would become the first Latina in the Senate, and the second Latino to serve in the upper house. Camden and Essex counties have skillfully avoided the kind of diversity battles that seem to have plagued Bergen and Hudson counties.

Redd and Ruiz may provide fresh faces in a Senate that will see a huge turnover this year, but they would also have to deal with the perception that they are products of powerful political machines. Redd is a strong ally of the Camden County Democratic organization, and Ruiz is a close ally of Newark political leader Stephen Adubato, Sr.

Redd began her political career as the Chief of Staff to Camden County Freeholder Riletta Cream, whose husband, Arnold Cream, served as Camden County Sheriff after a legendary career as a professional boxer under the name Jersey Joe Walcott. In 1976, as a third grader, she presented flowers to Mother Theresa during a visit to Sacred Heart Church in Camden.

Comments

Redd is clearly leading in the "useless trivia" department. :)


Redd is clearly leading in the "useless trivia" department. :)

02/13/07 3:46 pm

With two more candidates under 40 poised to win seats in the Sta


With two more candidates under 40 poised to win seats in the State Senate, joining young, talented legislators like Senator Scutari and Assemblyman Panter, it seems more true than ever that "the torch is being passed to a new generation"

02/13/07 5:27 pm

Democrats 2000- If that were any sappier, I'd say you should mov


Democrats 2000-
If that were any sappier, I'd say you should move to Vermont!

Seriously what good have Scutari and Panter done? I dont see a dimes worth of REAL tax relief coming from them.

02/13/07 5:43 pm

what does she do for her $70k a year w/ the Freeholders? http:/


what does she do for her $70k a year w/ the Freeholders?

http://php.app.com/employees06/details.php?recordID=102229

02/15/07 11:19 pm