Oadline Truitt

Assemblyman- elect Ralph Caputo last served in the Legislature from 1968 to 1972.Newark and the political arena were a lot different when 27-year-old Ralph Caputo was first elected to the State Assembly in 1967.

The city had just seen its infamous race riots the summer before the election, and Caputo, a Republican from the then Italian-American North Ward, was elected to serve in district 11-C -- made up predominantly of working class whites.

Now, at age 66, Caputo will again be an Assemblyman – this time as a Democrat – returning to Trenton after a 36 year hiatus.

Assemblyman Craig Stanley will appear in Superior Court on September 11th to contest the results of the June Democratic primary in the 28th district. He lost to Cleopatra Tucker, the widow of the late Assemblyman/Newark City Councilman Donald Tucker, by 127 votes.

"We have identified numerous anamolies," Stanley said.

Assemblyman Craig Stanley will drop his Independent bid for State Senator in the 28th district, leaving incumbent Ronald Rice a clear path to an eight term in the New Jersey State Senate.  Stanley, who lost his bid for renomination to the Assembly in the June Democratic primary, had filed as an independent Senate candidate -- most likely in the event that Rice had lost his own race to challenger Essex County Freeholder Bilal Beasley. 

Expect a recount in the 28th district Democratic primary, where Assembly Education Committee Chairman Craig Stanley trails Cleopatra Tucker by 110 votes, with just one of the 143 voting districts not in the tally.  Stanley, the nephew of Congresman Donald Payne and Assemblyman William Payne, was a casualty of the Essex County Democratic Civil War between the Payne's and Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

District 29 Assembly candidates Albert Coutinho and Grace Spencer this week received the endorsements of SEIU Local 32BJ, UniteHere! and CWA Local 1081, according to a news release isued by campaign spokesman Phil Alagia.

The New Jersey Education Association and the Newark Teachers Union -- longtime rival unions -- have joined forces to support the re-election campaigns of State Sen. Ron Rice, Assemblyman Craig Stanley and Assemblywoman Oadline Truitt in the 28th district, and Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo in the 29th.

TRUITT TAKES OATH AS NEW ASSEMBLYWOMAN
Will Bring Passion For Education, Community Service As Legislator Representing Four Essex County Communities

(TRENTON) - Veteran school librarian and community leader Oadline D. Truitt of Newark took the oath of office today during a swearing-in ceremony in the State Assembly Chambers in Trenton. Truitt takes the seat for the unexpired term of the late-Assemblyman Donald K. Tucker, who was elected posthumously in the November 8 general election. Tucker passed away October 17 and his name could not be removed from the ballot.