Ticket in 29th to be announced Wednesday
By Wally EdgeEssex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Sheriff Armando Fontoura will introduce their slate of 29th district legislative candidates at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. The three are expected to back Teresa Ruiz, the 32-year-old Essex Democratic Vice Chairwoman, as their Senate candidate, and former Assemblyman Albert Couhtino and former Assistant Newark Corporation Counsel Grace Spencer for the Assembly.
Assemblymen William Payne and Wilfredo Caraballo will not be part of the ticket.
The incumbent Senator, Sharpe James, has not yet announced if he will seek re-election to a fourth term. James was Mayor of Newark from 1986 until his retirement last year. Payne, 74, the brother of Congressman Donald Payne, has been actively seeking support for the Senate. Caraballo lost the support of Essex Democrats -- most specifically North Ward Democratic leader Stephen Adubato, Sr. -- after bucking the county legislative delegation and Governor Jon Corzine during the 2006 budget process.
Couhtino, who is active in the East Ward Portuguese community, spent six months in Trenton in 1997 after winning a Special Election Convention to replace convicted Assemblyman Jackie Mattison. The 36-year-old Spencer, a former Assistant Newark Corporation Counsel, Newark Special Prosecutor, and aide to the City Council President, was Deputy Campaign Manager for Booker's campaign for Mayor.
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2nd ticket
Payne for Senate, with Caraballo and another Latino for Assembly could be a strong ticket. Worst case scenario for Payne would be a 3rd slate (Sharpe's team). Payne can only carry this district in the primary w/ a strong Hispanic contingent, and getting all of Sharpe's supporters too.
1st ticket wins
Game over! This primary is a ground game, and the infantry generals have picked a credible winning team.
 The only open question is what will Sharp call his foundation.