July 24, 2008 - 7:51am
News

Doherty is more likely for '11 than '09

Democrats view Belmar Councilman Matt Doherty as their best chance to pick up a seat in the Monmouth-based eleventh district, where the GOP has not lost since 1989. Doherty ran an aggressive and well-financed campaign for the State Assembly in 2005 against two Republican incumbents, but lost.

But some insiders say that Doherty, who declined chances to run for Senate or Assembly last year, will pass on an Assembly bid in 2009 against freshmen Republicans Mary Pat Angelini and David Rible. Doherty seems focused on his municipal post and his business, and his wife, Maggie Moran, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, will likely spend her time on Jon Corzine’s re-election bid.  And if Belmar Mayor Kenneth Pringle decides not to seekre-election next year, Doherty could emerge as a candidate for Mayor.

Doherty, some Democrats say, still wants to go to the Legislature. He may be waiting until 2011, with the hope that the district could become more Democratic in redistricting and give him a better shot at taking on State Sen. Sean Kean.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

Comments

doherty


I doubt he'll try again for the Legislature right now. He loses a second time and he'd be finished.

Is Pringle really thinking about not running for re-election? I thought he loved the job.

Also, if Corzine loses in '09, Doherty's wife may run for something in the 11th or Belmar too.

07/24/08 9:59 am