Big changes are on the horizon in Trenton, thanks to a new map recently adopted for the state Legislature. In Essex County, it has led to the prospect of an intra-party fight between Democratic Sens. Nia Gill and Richard Codey in the newly redrawn 27th District.

Codey has been around a long time. He goes back to the Assembly in 1974 and has had all the big jobs since then, including Senate president and governor. He knows that a 2023 primary against Gill in the same 27th district is still a long time away and anything can happen in politics over the course of a year-plus. But, observers believe if the party had to choose between Codey and Gill today, it would probably give the line to Codey.