Connie Wagner

Congressional candidate Dennis Shulman was endorsed by Assemblywoman Connie WagnerFifth district Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Shulman today announced the support of 38th district Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Bergen County Freeholder James Carroll in his primary bid against Camille Abate.

The Bergen County Democratic Organization will hold a convention on February 28th to choose the candidate who will occupy the county line in the district, the biggest chunk of which is in Bergen County – especially amongst Democratic primary voters.

Shulman has the support of New Milford Mayor Frank DeBari and Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko, as well as several municipal chairs and former 39thdistrict legislative candidates Joe Ariyan, Esther Fletcher and Carl Manna. Abate recently announced the support of Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale and several local union officials.

Rev. Vernon Walton could become Bergen's first African American FreeholderBergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero endorsed Rev. Vernon Walton, a former Englewood councilman, for freeholder today, lining him up to be Bergen County’s first African-American freeholder.

The endorsement, given today at the Bergen County Democratic headquarters in Hackensack, was also attended by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, a Ferriero foe and former Walton rival who pledged his support to the freeholder-in-waiting.

Ferriero’s endorsement all but ensures that the county committee will confirm Walton to serve the remainder of the unexpired term for the seat left vacant by Connie Wagner, who just entered the Assembly.

It was a big happy event, by the looks of it from the outside. They looked like an extended family in there, with the Jets game on in the background and a few of the men shamelessly turning sideways in their chairs as they watched Gang Green lose.

But when Assemblyman Robert Gordon stood at the podium and accepted their unanimous backing to succeed District 38 Sen. Joseph Coniglio, Bergen County Democrats emptied their seats and gave him their face-forward attention amid sustained applause.

Gordon had some longtime allies in the Sunday evening crowd at party HQ in Hackensack, guys with whom he went back a long time.

Assemblyman Robert GordonThe Bergen County Democratic Organization’s meeting tonight went off without a hitch, with the county committee men and women essentially confirming Chairman Joseph Ferriero’s choice for the 38th district’s two new legislative candidates.

In a closed meeting, the committee members unanimously elected Assemblyman Bob Gordon to fill the state Senate ballot spot left open after Joe Coniglio decided not to seek re-election. Freeholder/Paramus Councilwoman Connie Wagner will fill the slot left open by Gordon’s elevation. Incumbent Assemblywoman Joan Voss will remain as the 38th district’s other Democratic Assembly candidate.

Bergen County Freeholder Connie Wagner will be the Democratic nominee for Bob Gordon's Assembly seatConnie Wagner will likely be the next Assemblywoman for district 38.

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero has endorsed Wagner to fill the Assembly spot for Bob Gordon, who Ferriero endorsed earlier today to replace state Senator Joe Coniglio, according to Bergen County Democratic Organization spokesman Bill Maier.

Wagner, a Bergen County Freeholder and Paramus Councilwoman, will resign from both of those positions if she’s selected by the county committee and then elected as an Assemblywoman, said Maer.

Ferriero originally offered the position to Jim Tedesco under the condition that he give up his seat as mayor of Paramus. Tedesco declined.

It might not be a coincidence that the last three state Senators from district 38 have been from Paramus.

There was Paul Contillo, then Louis Kosco, and finally Joseph Coniglio.

Now, two of the four contenders for the position are from Paramus – Mayor James Tedesco and Bergen County Freeholder Connie Wagner (who, unlike the other three, has not yet declared an intention to run for the seat).

The Bergen County Democratic Organization has announced the meeting at which they’ll pick the replacement for State Senator Joe Coniglio. 

The meeting will be held on Sunday at 6 pm at BCDO headquarters in Hackensack.  It will be closed to everyone except staff, municipal chairs, candidates and county committee members.