Is Norcross just a local guy?
By Wally EdgeThe powerful South Jersey Democratic machine has lost their last three statewide primaries: Rob Andrews for Governor in 1997, Jim Florio for U.S. Senate in 2000, and Andrews for Senate in 2008. That doesn’t say much for the supposed influence of party leader George Norcross, who so far has not been able to extend his clout outside his own region on the state. Norcross, who was the driving force behind Florio '00 and Andrews '08, was able to help Andrews win some key endorsements in northern New Jersey, but no organizational endorsements or county lines. Norcross is enormously powerful – ultimately, winning two State Senate seats in 2007 was more important to his organization than a U.S. Senate seat -- but is he just a regional guy?
Contributors
Wally Edge
If Paul Sarlo becomes the new Senate Judiciary Chairman when John Adler leaves for Washington in January, Senate President Richard Codey will ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
The Star Ledger got it right last April when it gave a thumb's-up to the NJN management plan to wean “the state's only public ... >
Steve Lonegan
The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >
Juan Melli
In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Former State Senator Wayne Bryant got a smack on the back of the head from a jury of his peers today when they found him guilty of all eleven charges ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Bryant guilty on all counts
- Lonegan gubernatorial announcement coming next month
- Wilson not certain whether he’ll stay on as GOP State Chairman after June
- Merkt calls for Wilson's resignation
- Governor reacts to Christie news
- Quinnipiac: Corzine 42%, Christie 36%
- After running as a local Obama, Hawkins runs early into the hard edge of Orange
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- If it's Corzine v. Christie, both sides get ready for the worst
- Mallet defeats Curley, Monmouth Freeholder Board becomes Democratic-controlled
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Jersey City councilman makes it rain in Washington
- Torricelli on deer hunting
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"What's been happening in the markets has brought out so many emotions. ... We are feeling it too. Our job is to be level-headed and cool and to run the portfolio. I think we are going to turn this around." -- An optimistic William Clark, the director of the state division of investment, after losing $25 billion in pension funds since July.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Now it's the Dems' chance to be dumb― PAUL MULSHINE
Corzine likely to go nowhere― THE DAILY RECORD
SILENT ON CHARGE; LIPSKI TELLS OF ALCOHOL BATTLE― STEVEN LIPSKI
Reclaiming the narrative of an enlightened nation ― CORY BOOKER
Syndicate
Your ignoring the dynamics
Your ignoring the dynamics of each of these races. The 1997 Andrews loss was an extremely close election against a guy (McGreevey) who had already run a statewide general election and came a few votes from being Governor only 4 years prior.
Jim Florio was unfairly doomed from the start because of the perceptions of his administration and the "anti-tax revolt" that occured. Not too mention the personal wealth of Corzine.
This recent Andrews loss was clearly a set up run for another office, like Governor. His 97 election was 11 years ago and in the mind of most rank and file voters, is long since forgotten.
not really
I didn't know Jim McGreevey ran a statewide election in 1993? It must have been a tough primary against Florio?
Andrews lost in 1997 to a local Mayor in Middlesex County who had no statewide name recognition.
Wally is dead on - Norcross has a lot of power in South Jersey and strong ties throughout the state but not enough to translate anywhere close to statewide control. Norcross also tried to take control of Monmouth County which has failed.
Lautenberg won big in Ocean County and nearly won Cumberland and Cape May Counties, where Andrews had the line.
not really
I didn't know Jim McGreevey ran a statewide election in 1993? It must have been a tough primary against Florio?
Andrews lost in 1997 to a local Mayor in Middlesex County who had no statewide name recognition.
Wally is dead on - Norcross has a lot of power in South Jersey and strong ties throughout the state but not enough to translate anywhere close to statewide control. Norcross also tried to take control of Monmouth County which has failed.
Lautenberg won big in Ocean County and nearly won Cumberland and Cape May Counties, where Andrews had the line.
Norcross is still the man
Norcross was with McGreevey in the 12-days of Torricelli, so you could argue that he won that primary.
His power is definitely more regional than statewide. But so what? That's the same for all the Bosses. If Adler pulls off a win in D3, he'll have 2 Congressional Districts under his power, that's more than any other Boss can claim in NJ.
Watch for him to get the Lt Gov to be someone from South Jersey too. That's a primary in itself.
Norcross is Boss Hogg
Boss Hogg from Dukes of Hazzard.
Norcross has some pull in his country, but is just a loser in real life.
GN
I wouldnt simply say he is regional-but he is far more effective at picking up local races. His money and prowess gets dwarfed in the North and his influence gets diluted statewide. He is still one of the strongest campaigners for State Assembly and Senate seats...look for him to try and influence more of them up into the North in the coming years
Amazing levels of stupidity
George Norcross has the Speaker of the NJ Assembly and the Senate Majority Leader ( a coup that required him to garner significant support outside of his region in direct opposition from "Please-still-call-me-Governor" Dick Codey).
No one cares who the hell the Congressman and the U.S. Senator is. They are irrelevant offices for the purposes of statewide politics.
In terms of who is the most powerful person in statewide politics today, there is really no question that George Norcross ranks at the very top of the list.