Vincent Lo Re

Upon Joseph Doria's resignation as Mayor of Bayonne, City Council President Vincent Lo Re is expected to become Acting Mayor for about thirty days.  Lo Re could continue in the role until the May 2008 Special Election to fill the remaining two years of Doria's term, or he could be replaced by Terrence Malloy, a career city employee who now serves as Bayonne's Business Administrator.  A Doria rival, City Councilman Anthony Chiappone, who is likely to win a State Assembly seat in November, is expected to mull a mayoral bid.

The Jersey Journal is reporting that the New Jersey State Police has begun a background check on State Senator and Bayonne Mayor Joseph Doria, who has been rumored as a possible candidate for Commissioner of Community Affairs.  Doria's name has been in the mix for the DCA post since Susan Bass Levin left to become Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Joseph Doria is the topic of speculation these days, with rumors that he might be headed to Governor Jon Corzine's cabinet as Commissioner of Community Affairs. But don't expect the veteran legislator -- who is not seeking re-election to the Senate this year -- to make any career decisions before Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Some Democrats say that Doria is very much under consideration for a cabinet post (Susan Bass Levin is departing soon to become Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), but several close friends say Doria has told them that he isn't entirely interested. Of course, that could be Doria being Doria.