July 10, 2008 - 2:18pm
News

Spencer could be out as Democrats begin move against Booker

Freshman Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, a protégé of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, is suddenly #1 on the list of most vulnerable legislators for 2009.  There is considerable speculation that the Essex County Democratic organization will dump Spencer and back incumbent Albert Coutinho and former Assemblyman William Payne in the Newark-based 29th district.  In turn, Payne, his brother, Congressman Donald Payne, his nephew, Newark City Councilman/Essex County Freeholder Donald Payne, Jr., State Sens. Ronald Rice and Teresa Ruiz, and North Ward Democratic leader Stephen Adubato will back a challenger to Booker – possibly North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. – for Mayor in 2010.

Booker will need to decide if saving Spencer, his former deputy campaign manager, is worth the trouble.  If engages the key Democrats next spring and loses, it could weaken his standing as a candidate for re-election one year later. 

Payne gave up his Assembly seat in 2007 to mount what turned out to be a quixotic independent bid for State Senate against Ruiz. 

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

Comments

I predicted...


after Booker got elected that the next Mayor would be Latino. Looks like it is shaping up that way.

07/10/08 3:49 pm

Payne


Payne "gave up" his Assembly seat?  I recall him losing support.

Since when did the Payne clan and the Adubato gang decide to team up against Booker?

Booker should have mended some fences with Rice and Adubato over the last yr.  Its going to come back to haunt him now.

07/10/08 3:55 pm

Case of advanced speculations?


It is too much for my imagination to digest. Who is supporting who and why? I do not know, do you?

07/10/08 9:55 pm

booker


i think he'd be better off running for essesx county executive...watch joe d and fat phil panic...

07/10/08 9:59 pm

booker


i think he'd be better off running for essesx county executive...watch joe d and fat phil panic...

07/10/08 9:59 pm

booker


i think he'd be better off running for essesx county executive...watch joe d and fat phil panic...

07/10/08 10:00 pm

booker


i think he'd be better off running for essesx county executive...watch joe d and fat phil panic...

07/10/08 10:00 pm

What if...


Booker will back his ally Spencer, we know that...

 Now, if the Essex Democratic Machine backs Payne againist Spencer will Booker just stand back or will Booker keep Spencer and run someone againist Coutinho. Could be interesting...

Unfortunetly, I think Booker would choose someone like Terrance Bankston or someone else who can't win...

07/11/08 1:07 am

This has to be a joke


Let me get this straight. They want oust Grace Spencer. During her campaign wasn’t this the Team of Newark’s future. Ruiz, Spencer, and, Coutinho for the future of Newark. What was the slogan again…We need change. Well we got change. Now they want to dismantle it already. What happened! Big Steve is still sore at Booker that’s why. And if anyone that is reading this thinks different you are a VERY naive person. I know that big Steve has had his feeling hurt by the mayor lately. It got so bad that Joe D had to step up and set up a meeting between the two. And if I am correct big Steves response to that meeting was and I quote: I don’t mind supporting the mayor as long as he does what he is suppose to do. (Read between the lines ….I don’t mind supporting the mayor was long as he does WHAT I TELL HIM TO DO). But doesn’t the mayor run the city. And now because Cory doesn’t obey big Steve and does not do what big Steve wants, poor Grace is going to be the sacrificial lamb on this on folks. And the thought of Bill Payne teaming up with Steve Adubado, whom Bill can’t stand by the way, is a total joke. I could see where Ron Rice would want to oust Booker after the walloping he took in his mayoral race. That I could swallow. As for Ruiz and Coutinho, they are good little soldiers who do as they are told by big Steve just like Joe D has all of these years or they will find themselves in the same place Caraballo is right now. And now for the kicker to all of this nonsense. Anibal Ramos for mayor of Newark New Jersey……….LMAOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Now that’s a joke. Your kidding right. What in the world has Ramos done as a councilman. What???? Mmmm good question right. Think about it. If Anibal Ramos is the best candidate that we can come up with in order to oust Cory, Newark is in HUGE trouble. Steve go take a ride to your house down the shore. I think you need to get some sun, have some lemonade and come to your senses.
The reality is that Cory Booker is the mayor of Newark……….. Get over it Steve. (I could see Steve fuming as he reads this LMAOOOOOOOOOO!!!!)

07/11/08 12:55 pm

How does an old man like Adubato


Wield any power in Newark?

He's not Black. He's not Portugese. He's not Hispanic.

He's a complete throwback to another time and era that is long over.

Vote Column - All the way!

07/11/08 8:56 pm