By David Cruz
Correspondent
Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo looked very much like a man without a care in the world as he held court during an Italian-American heritage celebration today. With his political mentor by his side, DiVincenzo cracked jokes and told stories before a crowd of mostly county workers, many of whom owe their livelihoods to the man who most experts say will walk into a fourth term as county executive.
“There is an election on Tuesday,” he said. “The people are going to decide. I don’t take any vote fort granted; I’m gonna work very, very hard.”
As has been the case through much of this campaign, DiVincenzo’s opponent, attorney and Cedar Grove Councilman Peter Tanella, was hard to find. He didn’t return our several calls today, and the most important Republican in the state, is best buds with DiVincenzo. It’s a friendship for which DiVincenzo makes no apologies.
“Listen, the governor is the most powerful position in the state of New Jersey,” said DiVincenzo. “To have a relationship, not only with the governor, but the commissioners and stuff like that is very, very important. Any time we need any kind of help, when it comes to DEP, NJ transportation, or anything whatsoever, you have to have friends in the state.”
DiVincenzo has had a pretty good run as county executive, improving the county’s bond rating and getting credit for stable — albeit some of the state’s highest — taxes, major improvements to the parks and the county zoo. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He backed Shavar Jeffries in this year’s race for mayor in Newark, and lost. The mending of fences with the new mayor — Ras Baraka — has been a slow process, even though Baraka says he’s voting for DiVincenzo.
“Same relationship I have with any elected official about trying to make things happen for the city and the state, so it’s nothing special,” noted Baraka, adding, “You know, it’s not Ali Foreman or something. It’s not the thriller in Manila.”
Central Ward Councilwoman and Baraka ally Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins said she was optimistic that the two can work well together.
“I don’t know of their personal relationship,” she said. “I mean, I don’t know if they’ve been to McLoone’s and had drinks together or Chateau Spain, but they’re both mature politicians and they know that they are inextricably connected.”
And solidifying his home county will be critical for DiVincenzo, who has not discouraged talk of his possibly seeking the governor’s job in a couple of years. He’s one of three Democrats — including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Senate President Steve Sweeney — who have been talked about as potential candidates.
“There’s no question that I am highly qualified. If I do choose to run for governor, that’s something that should be considered by the people throughout the state,” said DiVincenzo.
Barring any unforeseen developments, DiVincenzo is likely to win this race handily, leaving himself with a strong political organization and a full war chest for whatever it is he decides to do in the future.