By David Cruz
NJ Today
A good leader will inspire a unanimity of thought, so when a reporter at the Essex County Executive’s State of the County speech asked top county Democrats why the Republican governor was asked to speak and his Democratic opponent wasn’t, the team was on message, all insisting that the speech was a “governmental” event and not “political.”
Joseph DiVincenzo is in his third term as Essex County executive. And his annual assessment of the county’s state was a star-studded affair, including the governor, Senate president, Assembly speaker and members of the congressional delegation. Touting the county’s extensive improvements to the park system and its solid bond rating — but not its recent tax increase — DiVincenzo said his friendly relationship with Gov. Chris Christie was a boon to Essex County residents.
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“The governor is the governor, until he’s not the governor any more,” he said. “But he’s here, and he’s a friend and he’s been very good to Essex County and he’s been very supportive.”
But some Democrats have quietly been asking if the county executive is too close to Christie to deliver the necessary turnout for Democrat Barbara Buono, who was not at the speech. So, why not embrace Buono, who could potentially be the next governor? “She was invited to be here tonight, you know, as a senator, not as a candidate. This is not a political event,” he repeated.
There were three, probably four, potential Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in attendance, three of whom were invited to speak — Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and Senate President Steve Sweeney.
“I don’t know if Barbara Buono was invited to speak here, or if she wasn’t invited,” said Sweeney, a long-time DiVincenzo ally. “She could’ve been invited and she’s going somewhere else. You know, there are a lot of events that go on during the night throughout this state. It’s a small state but it’s a big one, so she could be campaigning in another location.”
With 450,000 voters and Democrats outnumbering Republicans four to one, Essex County is a plum for any state-wide candidate. In 2009, Christie got 27 percent of the vote here; not great, but with only a 40 percent turnout, it was enough to keep the race from being a runaway, and good enough for Christie, who is expected to do even better here in November. Nonetheless at least one Democrat — himself a potential Senate candidate — thinks Buono will surprise many people.
“I really believe that Barbara Buono will win this race in November,” said Rep. Frank Pallone. “I know it sounds like a come-from-behind because you see the polls but I don’t really believe the polls. I think she has a plan to create jobs and grow the economy that far exceeds anything Chris Christie has ever proposed or done.”
The county executive insists he’s not just being coy when he avoids questions about who he’ll be backing for governor. “I’m about good government,” he says, adding with a smile, “When I endorse someone, you’ll be the first to know.”