July 30, 2008 - 12:45pm
News

It looks like Norcross for Congress

The word among South Jersey Democrats is that Donald Norcross, the brother of one of the state’s most powerful political insiders, will replace Rob Andrews in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Sources say that the decision to send Norcross, the South Jersey AFL-CIO President and the Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman, to Congress appears nearly final – but that party leaders have little incentive to call a vote to ratify that choice anytime soon.

The nomination currently belongs to Camille Andrews, the wife of the incumbent, who became a caretaker candidate last April.  Despite speculation that he would run again for the House after losing the U.S. Senate primary to Frank Lautenberg, Rob Andrews has steadfastly insisted that he will not return to Congress. 

The candidacy of political boss George Norcross’ brother will create a small brouhaha, but nothing Democrats can’t handle.  The first district is strongly Democratic and Republicans, who might scream and yell a bit, won’t be able to do much about it.

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

Comments

Dana Redd.


Dana Redd for Congress.

07/30/08 1:55 pm

wrong choice


I'm sure that Donald Norcross is a good liberal, and I know that he's been a labor leader, something I greatly admire. But this appointment smacks of nepotism and lacks a genuine democratic process. The voters have already spoken, and Camille Andrews is clearly the chosen representative for Democrats in the 1st District; if not her, then the second place candidate, Camanara (sp), or Ibn-Ziyad should be the candidate, since they were voted on in the Dem primary.

If the sibling of Glenn Paulsen or Glenn Gilmore was inserted as a congressional candidate after the GOP primary, we'd be crying foul, and rightly so; but this is on our own side, and the process is broken and subverts the basic tenets of transparent electoral processes.

07/30/08 3:46 pm

Give me a break!!!!


Martin:

If you don't like this choice, I may have to vote for Norcross.

07/30/08 4:03 pm

Not too bad


Yes he is a Norcross but he is in fact a good labor leader, it's better then sticking with Camille Andrews.

07/30/08 5:04 pm

This Is Dirty: Period.


Camille Andrews should declare her own independence and tell these corrupt bums where to get off.  She's the legal candidate.  Nothing was signed in blood.

This is the worst kind of machine politics and nepotism rolled into one sleaze ball move.

If Mrs Andrews chooses to go along with this transparently corrupt move AND if the Republicans were/are smart enough to run a candidate that is actually a clean Republican progressive reformer (in the mold of a John Lindsey) then they will will in November.  (Where they find a clean pro reform progressive Republican is a good question ;-)

If Camille Andrews drops out according to the script she's been handed; and the Republicans stick with their current candidate, then Wally's "conventional wisdom" will likely be borne out.

For the sake of retaining democracy let's hope and pray for some off script surprises here!

Unfortunately for the Norcrosses and the Ferierros the people still get to vote.

 

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

 

 

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

07/30/08 5:06 pm

Corrupt move?


What is the corrupt move? Camille Andrews wants nothing to do with the candidacy. That is no secret. Putting in Donald Norcross would be a great move becasue the Districtwould be getting an excellent Labor person and a real advocate for the middle class.

He has earned his stripes in the labor and in the South Jersey political movement.

Excellent choice. Will be a very good Congressman and a hard worker.

The previous poster is just a whiner who probaly does not know , nor has ever met Donald Norcross.

This is a legitimate move made under the rules of the Party.

07/30/08 5:17 pm

Martin


Glad to see that youre coming around.

07/30/08 7:18 pm

Stop being so pompous


Camille Andrews was a stand in. Everyone knew that including the voters in the District. Everyone knew a substitute would replace her.

Donald Norcross is an excellent choice. I could care less who is brother is. You should do the same.

Review his resume. Then criticize him on who he is , not on who you think he is .  

 

 

07/30/08 7:27 pm

What difference does it make...


when any candidate just becomes a shill of the Party anyway? The masses are asses.

07/30/08 9:46 pm

The Dems should pick...


Warren Wallace, he was trained by Bryant, Sweeney likes him, and if the Dems ever accidentally write anything down he knows hot to use a paper shredder

07/31/08 12:52 am

I thought Donald Norcross was under investigation


or his union?--Maybe not the right time to think about a congessional seat...

07/31/08 8:38 am

MartinOne is right!


This may shock some of you, but MartinOne's post above is right!

I hear there is some dirty dirt on the younger Norcross that could be toxic to his potential campaign and will cause voters, even hardcore Democrats, to vote in droves for his Republican opponent.

In addition, isn't Donald Norcross the one who got into a fight and shouting match with a Republican operative at a public debate a few years ago? I think it was in the paper -- and he didn't come off as looking too good.

More of the same old, same-old, I guess - but they could have picked someone better, IMO.

07/31/08 11:22 am

Good Choice


Donald Norcross is smart, progressive, experienced, and respected. The only "dirt" I know of about him is that people just say there's dirt on him with little or no proof or examples such as the above post. And, in regard to his fight with a Republican some years ago, I was there. The guy said some stuff about Norcross' mother. There was no physical altercation - just some yelling. I would like to assume that most, if not all, of us would stand up for our moms when necessary.

07/31/08 1:14 pm

Donald "Bonaparte"


In 1806 Napoleon placed his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Naples and then later on the throne of Spain, maintaining him there with his own military power.

Sound familiar?

BTW, Joseph later lived for a while in exile in Bordentown, NJ (Norcross territory) on the bluff.

08/02/08 8:37 am

Who wants it?


Does Camille really want to run for Congress?  It seems she threw the hat into the ring to support her husband, and the party.  I wouldn't be surprised if she would be relieved to have someone take her place.

08/02/08 4:29 pm

who needs a labor leader


Look what unions have created for us, an over paid useless auto industry, that our children’s children will be paying for, and we still won't have the craftsmanship or quality of the foreign car industry. So being a labor leader means nothing. And just what we need another puppet in congress.

12/16/08 3:19 pm