Rare pre primary: DFA endorses Loretta Weinberg for State Senate, NJ LD37, a race to watch

[FogerRox]

Progressive DEMs run against the de~facto corruption of Pay to play Bergen County chair Joe Ferriero and his cronyism.

The godmother of progressive politics in NJ, incumbant State Senator Loretta Weinberg has been endorsed by DFA (Democracy for America). Loretta and her running mates, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson and Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle will be running off the line, after a battle royale with the Bergen County Democratic Chair, Joe Ferriero.

DFA chair Jim Dean announced the rare pre primary endorsement at the Englewood NJ campaign kickoff thursday evening.





Jim Dean announcing the DFA endorsement of Loretta Weinberg
for NJ State Senate, thursday evening in Englewood NJ.

I believe Virginia & New Jersey are the only 2 states that are electing state legislators in 2007. I'm sure many eyes will be examining these 2 states to judge the performance and meesage of progressive candidates.

Here in NJ we have been watching a revolution in Bergen County Politics. The Democratic machine in Bergen County has rigged their nominating process to prevent incumbants Loretta Weinberg (State Senate), Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle (Assembly) from running on the line. A compromise was offered by the Bergen Dem Chair Joe Ferriero, the idea was for Loretta Weinberg to drop her running mates Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle in favor of Ferriero's picks. Loretta said no deal.

In Essex County, 15 miles west of NYC, there are 2 Legislative districts (A Senate seat and 2 Assembly seats in each district) with democratic incumbants. Rumors are afloat that all 6 seats will be contested in the democratic primaries. Do I smell a reform year in the making? Time will tell.

In New Jersey one of the hot button issues of late has been pay to play. With pressure from DEMs and Republicans at the state, county & local levels, we may be seeing a "reform year". The Wienberg, Huttle, Johnson team, now known as the real bergen democrats, look to win in the June primaries and go on to victroy in the November elections. A victory in the primary will be a shot across the bow of the "pay to play" machine polictic. One that will resonate beyond the borders of New Jersey, about the progressive revolution and the people powered candidates progressives support. Keep an eye on this race my friends, its sure to be the bell weather race this year.

Video and pix @ "Kos"

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/24/14323/0886

[madfloridian]

1. Outstanding. I found another article. Recommended this.

I am watching the video now. Kudos to Jim and DFA.

http://www.northjersey.com/print.php?qstr=ZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwOTgzODAmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkz

[FogerRox]

6. Thanks, I put some of that article into a comment at KOS

[madfloridian]

2. I am going to keep this kicked. I think it will happen more and more.

:hi:

Thanks for posting.

[FogerRox]

3. Thanks, with the primary in June its rare

for DFA to endorse this early. But I thikn the situation requires it, and I am damn proud too.

Deans Revenge......

LoL

[Nedsdag]

4. Good. I live in Englewood.

Weinberg is my Senator. Just because she didn't kiss ass with the County Democratic leader doesn't mean she should lose her Senate seat. Wildes is a kiss-ass pol who was lucky he was re-elected Mayor in November. He had to bring up his "friendship" with the Clintons in order to win.

Go, Loretta, go!

[FogerRox]

5. LOL, didn't I just see you over @ KOS ?

Thanks.

[madfloridian]

7. This sounds like the party wants to pick who runs.

And only they get to pick. Am I getting that right? Jim Dean is getting very outspoken now....I like that.

[FogerRox]

8. Right

The County Chair couldn't quite get the votes at the county convention to get his slate, so he had to change the rules, which wasnt exactly sucsessful, this caused about 60 members of the county committee to walk out.

Town DEM committee's are walking away from the county committee, in groups. SO it comes down to the primary in June. IF Weinberg & her team win, it pretty much seals the fate of the county chair, as in reitrement, or capitulation.

[madfloridian]

9. Hot Grandma....cute article.

http://blog.nj.com/jerseyblogs/2007/03/hot_grandma.html

Hot Grandma
Posted by Kelly Heyboer March 23, 2007 4:07PM
Veteran State Sen. Loretta Weinberg may be in her 70s, but she gets the power of blogging. At an event last night the Bergen Democrat told the crowd she was delighted to be getting so many mentions on Blue Jersey. Weinberg said:

I will tell you what has made me the happiest in my public career was being listed as a "hot tag" on Blue Jersey. That is something that my grandchildren will hear about quite regularly-- that grammy is a hot tag. Everything is downhill thereafter.

The equally-delighted Blue Jersey even posted the video of Weinberg's comment this afternoon."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfV3OwKjlCg

[FogerRox]

10. IIRC only 2 states leg are all up for re-election

NJ is one, so this race is going to have far reaching implications. ANd this is certainly going to be one of the top races to follow in NJ.