Merkt retirement could mean Freeholder primaries in Morris
By Wally EdgeRick Merkt's announcement that he won't seek re-election to a seventh term in the State Assembly next year - possibly to run for Governor - will create a chain reaction that will reach the local level. Four Freeholders are considered potential candidates for the solidly Republican District 25 seat, and three of them - John Murphy, Gene Feyl, Bill Chegwidden - would have to give up their Freeholder seats to run for the Legislature in 2009. That would create another hotly contested primary for open Freeholder seats. If Doug Cabana were to win the Assembly seat, Morris County Republicans would need to hold a January 2010 special election convention to replace him.
The real prize comes in two years, when some Republicans say that four-term State Sen. Anthony Bucco, who will be 71-years-old, will retire. Merkt and his running mate, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, have had their eye on the Senate seat, as has Murphy and Anthony Bucco, Jr., an attorney and the Senator's son. Murphy ran a strong race for Governor in 2005, but is not expected to run again because of the crowded field from within Morris County (U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and now Merkt, both Mendham residents.) If he wants to move up to the Senate in 2011, he may need to spend two years in the Assembly - if for no other reason than stop a new Assemblyman from being in a position to move up.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Chris Christie’s refusal to have his picture taken with Rick Merkt at a Republican event in Summit was probably just the former federal ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's hard to not be concerned these days. We've all witnessed frustration with our institutions before but I never remember anything of this ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Instead of borrowing trillions to waste on make-work governmental projects, stimulate the economy with tax cuts. >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
With the entrance of Chris Christie into the Republican gubernatorial primary, the GOP has greatly enhanced its chances of capturing the ... >
Rob Tornoe
Joey Novick
Hard to believe we have arrived at the last year of the first decade of the 21st century. Boy, seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was handed ... >
Juan Melli
It's actually come to this: A panel convened by the legislature of the State of New Jersey has concluded that discrimination is not good. Maybe ... >
Carla Katz
As it tends to, history seems to be repeating itself as 240 laid-off workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago revive a decades old tactic -- ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Many columnists write a "year in review" or a "predictions" piece for the New Year, however I decided to refrain from going down ... >
Murray Sabrin
Yesterday President-elect Barack Obama outlined his American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan in a speech at George Mason University. Obama said we ... >
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
- Healy and Stack and the late Glenn Cunningham
- Kyrillos: 'We need a leader like Chris Christie'
- Lonegan camp says they qualify for matching funds
- Reilly joins Codey staff
- Christie will run for Governor
- Merkt fights perceived Christie canonization in Passaic County
- Holt decides to run for assembly instead of state senate
- Corzine allies respond to Christie news
- U.S. Rep. Adler assumes seat on financial services committee
- Rule him out of District 36 Assembly run, says Scarpelli
- 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
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- Weinberg loses life savings in Madoff Ponzi scheme
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"I’m here to talk to people not pose for pictures with you." -- Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie to Assemblyman Rick Merkt, his former running mate and now his rival in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, according to Merkt.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Yudin may be waffling on word to GOP boss ― CHARLES STILE
The City Boss Becomes the Country Boss ― DICK BENFIELD...MUST READ
Ferriero's support a curse for Kasparian? ― CHARLES STILE...MUST READ
Trenton must stop thinking outside box― DOUG FORRESTER
Three's a crowd, but one man isn't a party― ALFRED DOBLIN
Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives― DAN JACOBSON
Murder charge for Prisco― ANGELO PRISCO
Healy: Have yourself a merry little Christmas with my CD― JERSEY JOURNAL
Time for BCDO to clean up its act ― CHARLES STILE
Syndicate
Murphy is definitely on the top of the list
Chegwidden on the bottom - he has lost much credibility not fulfilling his pledge last year to resign as mayor or freeholder as support of the dual office holding ban.
Of all the candidates...
Of all the candidates mentioned, for the '09 race I believe that Murphy probably has the best chance of winning the open seat when Merkt retires.
However, in two years time - and if Bucco retires - it will be an interesting free for all. Morris County Republicans have a way of "forgiving" each other (even after bitter, contested primaries) so some old names may crop up to either challenge for the open Assembly/Senate seat and any openings on the Freeholder Board.
If Murphy should move up, it could present an opportunity for John Inglesino to return as a Freeholder. Or possibly for Larry Casha, who lost in a bitterly contested 26th District Assembly primary race to Jay Webber, to return as a county-wide Freeholder candidate.
Of the others mentioned in the 25th, Feyl and Chegwidden would seem the least likely. Although Tony Bucco, Jr., Doug Cabana, and possibly even Peter Mancuso may rear his head after failing to capture the State Chairmanship from Tom Wilson.
Who else can we add onto the fire? Maybe we can convince Leanna Brown to come out of retirement to run for a seat or possibly for former Freeholder Frank Druetzler to leave his Mayorship for Trenton?
This will certainly be interesting, that's for sure.
Veritas vos Liberabit
"Collecting more taxes than absolutely necessary is legalized robbery." - Calvin Coolidge