When will Bob Gordon start worrying about the curse of the 38th?
By Wally EdgeSince the Bergen County-based 38th legislative district was created, every State Senator has eventually failed to win re-election. Republican Frederick Wendel, elected in 1971, lost to Democrat John Skevin in 1973. Skevin was defeated by Republican John Paolella in 1981, and Paolella was ousted by Democrat Paul Contillo in 1983. Contillo was unseated by Republican Louis Kosco in 1991, and Kosco lost in 2001 to Democrat Joseph Coniglio. Coniglio dropped his bid for a third term after the 2007 primary after published reports that he was the target of a federal criminal probe. He was indicted last week.
The 38th district was viewed as politically competitive until '01 redistricting, when heavily Democratic Fair Lawn and Fort Lee were added to the 38th. The new Senator is Democrat Robert Gordon.
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When the redistricting commission reconvenes.
If Fair Lawn is in a similarly configured district, he is ok.
But... if it is put back in a District 40 similar to the 1990s, arriverderci.
He won't and shouldn't lose any sleep.
nitpick
Did Coniglio "fail to win re-election" if he resigned before running for re-election? Maybe he got out before the curse caught up with him!
Point taken though...its not a place for long careers.
Bob Gordon's longevity is safe
Unforseen redistricting problems aside, Senator Bob Gordon is certain to have a very long shelf life in District 38. He is the ultimate policy wonk which will garner him great respect from his constituents. But he is also politically adept, as well. He knows how to maneuver the political waters and will out-hustle any Republican challenge.
Let's just hope he is careful to maintain modest distance from Party Boss Joe Ferriero. That is Senator Gordon's only weak spot. If he encounters any political problems at all, you can be sure it will be the result of the Ferriero relationship.
Nevertheless, I am betting that he is intelligent enough to know better and will solidify his status as a consummate legislative official for a long time to come.
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