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Gov. Jon Corzine Monday named Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.) as chairman of his re-election campaign.
Named as honorary chairs were U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and as honorary co-chairs state Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).
"This year's election is not about me and it is not about my opponents, it is about New Jersey," Corzine said at a Trenton gathering. "I could not be more proud of the leadership we have joining us as we stand for re-election and we try and get Democrats across this great state elected in November. Our first in the nation economic recovery and assistance program put New Jersey in position to navigate the global economic recession and be able to take advantage when it turns around, and we are starting to see signs of the recovery every day.
"Most recently, we saw the creation of 13,000 private sector positions last month. We were able to do this while remaining focused on protecting education funding and expanding healthcare access for people across the state. We have a lot more work to do but, with our partners in Washington and all across New Jersey, we are fighting for a better future."Pallone, Lautenberg and Menendez highlighted what they described as the high stakes involved in the election, emphasizing they would do everything they could to get Corzine re-elected:
"This is more than a campaign for Jon Corzine, this is a campaign for New Jersey,'' Pallone said. "We literally can't afford to revert to the policies and practices of the Bush era that caused so much damage to the economy and inflicted so much harm to working people. We need to continue to work together with President Obama, Governor Corzine and Congress to rescue New Jersey from the meltdown of the national economy and to lay the foundation for economic growth for the years ahead.
"It is the Democrats who possess shared priorities with the people of New Jersey on a wide array of issues beyond the economy, including education, the environment and the needs of children. It is Jon Corzine who possesses the experience, the ability and the record of success to get the job done right in the days and the years ahead."
Corzine also named Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer as chair of the Mayor's Council, along with co-chairs Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, East Orange Robert Bowser, and Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). Essex County Executive Joseph DiVencenzo was named chair of the County Elected Officials Council.
The event also featured the introduction of the Victory ‘09 leadership team. Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) were named co-chairs, while Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) and Newark Mayor Cory Booker were named honorary co-chairs.
"I'm proud to help lead the Democratic campaign to elect individuals from the local level on up to the state level who are dedicated to strengthening our education and healthcare systems, helping businesses thrive, and making government more efficient and accountable," said Codey.
"No one has been more committed to these values than Governor Corzine. His leadership and vision have helped position our state to rebound from this recession and thrive. Now that we finally have a partner in the White House who is equally committed to helping our state, it's more important than ever that we continue to elect officials who will work together to protect New Jersey values."
"Yes We Can,'' a Democratic organization aimed at reaching out to new Obama voters, also announced its leadership team, including Randall Pinkett as chairman.
"I am excited to be a part of this campaign and the ‘Yes We Can' program because we need a leader like Jon Corzine who is willing to stand up for New Jersey's families, even when the choices aren't always popular or easy," Pinkett said. "We have a partner in President Obama who gave our country hope for a brighter future and I have no doubt that Jon Corzine and Loretta Weinberg are the right team to work with the White House in leading New Jersey to renewed prosperity."
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
