Election News
Freeholder race is new chapter in old rivalry. Booker and Rice set to square off again behind their respective candidates. By Jeffery Mays, 04/08/08. Published by: Star-Ledger
This time last year state Sen. Ronald L. Rice was on the outside looking in.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker and the Essex County Democratic Party were supporting Irvington Councilman D. Bilal Beasley for the state Senate seat Rice has held since 1986. But Rice bucked the party, defeated Beasley in the primary and got the backing of the party in the general election.
Yesterday, Rice's choice for Freeholder at large, longtime aide and chief of staff Rufus Johnson, received the party nod over Booker's director of constituent services Terrance Bankston. Essex County Democratic Chairman Phil Thigpen, who makes the final decision, chose Rice over Booker, adding another chapter between the two men now facing off for a third time since Booker thrashed Rice in the 2006 mayoral election.
Bankston said his agenda of bringing youth and energy to the freeholder board along with his endorsements from Council President Mildred Crump, former Council President Donald Bradley, the New Jersey Environmental Federation and others shows he should have gotten the line. He said he realizes the tension between Rice and Booker may have contributed to him not getting the party's support.
Baroni gains environmental endorsement. Federation cites assemblyman's opposition to Route 92 project, By Ryan Tracy, Trenton Times, 10/05/2007.Original article published by The Trenton Times
SOUTH BRUNSWICK -- Standing near the proposed site of one of the most controversial road projects in state history, Assemblyman and Republican state Senate candidate Bill Baroni received an endorsement from the environmental federation that has teamed with him to fight the highway plan.
The New Jersey Environmental Federation, a coalition of more than 100 environmental groups with more than 70,000 members statewide, announced its support of Baroni yesterday, citing a strong environmental record that includes sponsoring a bill that would quash the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's ability to construct the controversial Route 92.
"Every candidate says they support the environment," said Dave Pringle, NJEF campaign director. "It's our job to separate the wheat from the chaff. In this race, (one of the) most watched (in the state), the choice is clear."
At a press conference yesterday, Baroni touted his environmental record, including support for emissions reduction planning under the Global Warming Response Act and drinking water preservation via the Highlands Protection Act.
Pringle noted that Baroni's support reached across party lines, as he stood with Democrats on environmentally sound legislation while opposing the legislative majority on the development-friendly "Fast Track" law.
