November 8, 2007 - 11:00pm
Senate leadership position goes to the south
By Matt Friedman
Tags: Dana Redd, Richard Codey, Paul Sarlo, Nicholas Scutari, Stephen Sweeney, Barbara Buono, Sandra Bolden Cunningham, Jim Whelan, John Adler, Fred Madden, Jeff Van Drew, Brian Stack, Bob
The surging south got a seat at the table today, with third district state Sen. Stephen Sweeney chosen as majority leader after a hard fought, emotional battle with state Sen. Paul Sarlo.
Although the decision-making process was closed and the official decision was unanimous, sources say that Sweeney had the support of 14 of the 23 member caucus. Backing Sweeney were the expected south Jersey contingent -- Jeff Van Drew, Jim Whelan, Fred Madden, Dana Redd and John Adler. But he also had support from Senators from the rest of the state -- Brian Stack, Sandra Bolden Cunningham, Barbara Buono, Nicholas Scutari, Bob Smith, Ray Lesniak, Joe Vitale and Loretta Weinberg.
Lesniak, who said he hadn’t decided who to support until this morning, was particularly influential in swinging the Middlesex County senators towards Sweeney. He said that he thought both candidates would make good majority leaders, but that the south’s success in turning two seats blue meant that they deserved representation in a leadership position.
“I thought I was in a very difficult position because Paul Sarlo is a very dear friend of mine,” said Lesniak. “I may have lost a friend, and that makes me very sad.”
Weinberg also found herself in a tough position. The outspoken anti-machine senator had to choose between two candidates with close ties to political bosses – Sarlo to Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman Joe Ferriero, who she’s warring with, and Sweeney to South Jersey boss George Norcross.
Sarlo was said to be angry with Weinberg, considering that the two are from the same county. Weinberg, however, would not discuss her vote.
“It was a strictly closed party vote. And as I said I’m very pleased we all came together and made it unanimous,” said Weinberg.
Although no challenge was posed to Senate President Codey as majority leader, Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray speculated that this may be the beginning of a coalition of Democrats working with Sweeney to reach across the isle to moderate incoming Republicans like Jennifer Beck and Bill Baroni. That way, they may put pressure Codey to put up legislation that he otherwise would not consider.
“Maybe it’s less a sense than a hope that there could be something different about this legislature in the sense of bipartisanship,” said Murray, who noted that Sweeney, a union leader himself, had made gone against a traditionally Democratic constituency when he supported cuts to state worker salaries and benefits last year.
“I think that Steve Sweeney has shown that he’s willing to go against the vested Democratic interest groups,” said Muray.
Other sources note that Sweeney’s status puts him next in line for the Senate presidency – giving south Jersey control of the body should Codey become governor again, or perhaps challenge him two years from now.
Sweeney could not be reached for comment. And while sources say that Sarlo was upset, he gave a carefully worded statement.
“I congratulate Sen. Codey on his election as Senate President, and on Sen. Sweeney on his election as Majority Leader. I’m proud to have supported both of them and I look forward to continuing as an active member of the Senate Democratic Leadership to ensure that our caucus remains focus on the issues important to New Jersey.”
Sarlo is now expected to seek the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where Buono, a three-term Democrat from Middlesex County, appears to be a leading candidate.
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Hey Matt, I know you're new, but ...
The following passage reflects a lack of reserach or understanding on your part:
"Other sources note that Sweeney’s status puts him next in line for the Senate presidency – giving south Jersey control of the body should Codey become governor again, or perhaps challenge him two years from now."
If Codey become Goveronr again, he will still be the Senate President. Were he not the Senate President, he wouldn't be filling the vacacncy in the Gov's office.
Research is fun.
infighting to be expected
It is no surprise that there were multiple senators wanting to ascend to the Senate Majority position; thus, there should be little surprise that Sarlo and Sweeney were building coalitions, and the senate Dems were having some infighting about the position. I view this new position for Sweeney as a protection against any run from him against Codey in two years and not a threat by any means.
And Sweeney is no "Yes Man," as noted by political scientist Patrick Murray in the above article: “I think that Steve Sweeney has shown that he’s willing to go against the vested Democratic interest groups.” Sweeney called for cuts in pensions and benefits from public employees, not the most popular stance to take, and he spearheaded efforts for school consolidation in GlouCo, a project which needs to be renewed. He is an independent Democrat who works hard for his district and for South Jersey in general.
Congrats Majority Leader Sweeney
Definitely one of the best Democrats in Trenton. I might have to cross over if he ran for Governor against Chris Christie.
Lesniak & Sweeney---leadership to be respected
Congratulations should go to the entire Senate Democratic caucus for making a prudent and wise decision in selecting Senator Sweeney as Majority Leader. This decision should never have been about north or south. Thankfully, it was about the best person for the job who will put the interests of the entire caucus and the residents from every corner of the state at the forefront of his concerns.
Senator Sweeney has already impressed many with his strong leadership skills. He has notably proven to be willing to take risks for the sake of good public policy and fiscal responsibility. You can argue with the fine points of his positions but you can't argue with his fairness and evenhandedness.
Leaders like Senator Ray Lesniak should be applauded for standing up for everyone's best interests. He did what was right and protected the integrity of the institution.
Another viable option for the leadership post would have been Senator Joe Vitale, of Middlesex. He is a public servant whose integrity and substance is to be admired. He should be next in line for a major leadership position.
Senator Paul Sarlo, a disappointment to many of his constituents and political associates, should never have been considered a viable option to begin with. His shortcomings are too numerous to name with his dismal showing in the recent election when a 78 year old Republican gadfly with no campaign organization and no money garnered 43% of the vote against the Senate incumbent, among them. And in a clear rejection of the Senator's local leadership, multiple towns in Sarlo's southern Bergen County base went Republican under his top-of-the-ticket ballot position.
Too many Democrats in Sarlo's district 36 have been burned by his willingness to sell-out local party members in his haste to protect Republicans. This is not an individual fit for a leadership position in any organization. He does not possess the social or political skills to command a following anywhere.
And, of course, the controversial EnCap project with all of its recently revealed flaws was led by Senator Sarlo, as its chief legislative proponent, for much too long before he realized that his public role in that fiasco could become a fatal detriment to his career. Who wants to be led by a guy who leads you right off a meadowlands cliff?
Thank goodness the Senate settled on the right course. And we have fourteen strong and reasonable Senators from across the state to thank for that.
On The Waterfront since 1954
Disgusting
Trying to spin this as anything other than a win for Norcross is absurd.
Hey Bergen_Prince, I know you're full of hot air, but...
Maybe you should check your facts before saying that Matt didn't research the piece correctly. The Lt. Governor constitutional amendment approved last year got rid of the requirement that the Senate Prez must hold both jobs when replacing a governor on a permanent basis (i.e. not just for a trip to Portugal). So if Corzine were to leave office early, Codey would become the fulltime Governor, be forced to resign from the Senate, and a new Senate Prez would be elected.
How embarassing for you.
Great Move for Senate
Remember when Sweeney was going to be the target of the big bad CWA? Where are those threats now? Instead of talking to him they trying to bully him. I guess that did not work too well.
This is great news for those who believe that open dialogue is not " evil". The best thing you can say about Sweeney is that he will listen to your opinion and he will offer his opinion. There will be discussion and you might not like what he has to say or he might not like what you have to say but there will be discussion!
Sweeney is a Norcross puppet
He is not an "independent Dem" he does as he is told. Lesniak was beat but he had enough sense to broker the peace. All these guys will go to jail someday.
Lesniak's in a good position
both politically and geographically!
He's between North and South Jersey DEM's and can make or break either side depending on the momentum and how the political winds blow.
As pointed out, Sarlo was less than impressive in his race, and the folks in Bergen look to be getting tired of Ferriero and those backroom DEM dealings. Toss in the never-ending intra-party scraps in Hudson, in addition to North Jersey leader, Senator Codey, losing some mojo and bucks on the poorly run Karcher race. It looks like some weakness up North to say the least.
But in the South, the DEMs picked up 2 Senate seats, including long time GOP Gormley's old seat. As well as holding onto the indicted Wayne Bryant's seat, that was never in doubt, with the election of Dana Redd.
So the momentum is clearly in the South Jersey camp. With whispers that some GOPs may reach across the aisle to dealing with the "conservative South DEM" Sweeney. Lesniak was able to read the tea leaves right, and made the right call. I don't like him, but Senator Lesniak is no fool.
The only way I see Lesniak getting his comeuppance is if North and South leaders bury the hatchet, and right now it looks like its heading in the other direction. The North has got to smile and take it, they need Lesniak and his little voting bloc to get things done.
At least thats the way I'm reading it.