Beaten in 2006 re-election bid, Bell may be poised for a comeback

NEWARK - On the day Newark Councilwoman Dana Rone lost her council seat in the courtroom of assignment Judge Patricia Costello, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the City Council and Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) all supported her in her effort to appeal the judge’s decision.

But they also prepared for the very real possibility that Rone may lose her second-to-last chance gamble in the appellate division, and then fall with her last shot in the state Supreme Court.

Former Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell appears to be the candidate most likely to generate support from among the city's anti-Booker factions. Charone Montayne, daughter of Freeholder Blonnie Watson, may also make a run, but as a registered Republican she must be considered a longshot.

On the mayor’s side, the long-groomed Nakia White emerged as a late in the day option to replace an unsalvageable Rone.

North Ward Democratic leader Steve Adubato offered "no comment" regarding his intentions in the Central Ward.

For his part, Sen. Rice questioned Costello’s decision to uphold the law banning Rone from office, and suggested that it seems "kind of one-sided." He wants to look into it, he said.

The senator underscored that he supports Rone while she pursues her appeal.

If she fails in that process, however, he says he would back Bell, who also has the early support of former Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins.

"If Bell is a candidate, I’ll be 100% behind him," said Rice.

Bell was among those Sharpe James era council people swept out of office by Team Booker in 2006.

A dangerous proposition for the Booker administration, Bell returning to the council could be a foot-in-the-door to what the mayor's political enemies would hope to be a stampede by the old guard back to the halls of power in 2010.

Bell did not return calls for comment Tuesday.