William Gormley

PATERSON – On a mid October morning, state Sen. Paul Sarlo’s (D-Bergen) wife found him unconscious in the couple’s bed, suffering the effects of a pulmonary viral infection in conjunction with a sever acid reflux condition.

Early reports out of the hospital weren’t good.

Over a month later, Sarlo says he has made a full recovery as he prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee to succeed U.S. Rep.-elect Jon Adler (D-Camden).

“My recent episode puts a lot of things in perspective,” said the 40-year old Sarlo. “What I learned is the need for balance. I am in great shape and truly honored to be able to serve as chairman of such a prestigious committee and to play a vital role in our Constitutional duty to vet and examine all executive and judicial branch appointments.”

The roots run deep in Atlantic County, and the so-called softies on the golf courses in the suburban towns still bear traces of the barrier city, where gamblers learn to live another day even when they don't have money.

Republican Sen. James "Sonny" McCullough had his "Students for Sonny" in T-shirts in the lobby of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Thursday night, scene of his Chamber of Commerce debate in the 2nd district with Democratic Assemblyman Jim Whelan.

McCullough wasn't supposed to be in the race at this point. Democrats figured family strife within his own party would deep-six him by now. After all, the man McCullough replaced, state Sen. Bill Gormley, was all but actively campaigning against him, and Assemblyman Frank Blee was likewise still steamed at McCullough for wresting party control away from Camp Gormley.