November 13, 2006 - 12:44pm
News

Sires' election to Congress sets off a chain of special elections

As expected, Hudson County Freeholder Silverio "Sal" Vega has succeeded Albio Sires as the Mayor of West New York. Sires, the former Assembly Speaker, is expected to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives tonight.

Sires' seat as a West New York Commissioner was filled by Claridad Rodriguez, who has served as Sires' secretary for many years.

Vega is widely expected to also take Sires' seat in the State Assembly. Democrats in Hudson County's 33rd district must hold a Special Election Convention within the next 7-35 days to fill the vacancy.

While Vega could continue as a Freeholder while serving as Mayor and as an Assemblyman, Hudson insiders suggest that West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange is headed to the Hudson County Board of Freeholders.

WALLY EDGE can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

Comments

While I think Albio is one of the better NJ Democrats, shouldn't


While I think Albio is one of the better NJ Democrats, shouldn't his successors set a good example and just hold one office each?

11/13/06 12:55 pm

PSC - Albio didn't, so why expect others to? Also, Assembly is


PSC - Albio didn't, so why expect others to?

Also, Assembly is a part time job. It's designed to be a part time job. If you want people to ONLY be in the state leg then pay them like it is a full-time upper management gig. $75K or more a year.

It doesn't make sense to pay people for a part time gig at a part time level and then say that they can't work in government at all. That's, for many, their area of expertise.

So, I say ban dual office holding and pay full time, high-level wages to office holders.

11/13/06 1:37 pm