The New Jersey State Senate is composed of forty individuals who serve part-time. The Senate currently houses twenty-two Democrats and eighteen Republicans. In the past few weeks, eleven Senators have announced that they will not seek re-election; others may soon follow. Interestingly, eight of the ten Senators who are not seeking re-election are Republicans: Martha Bark, Leonard Connors, Bill Gormley, Walter Kavanaugh, Robert Littell, Robert Martin, Henry McNamara, and Joseph Palaia. The three Democrats are: Wayne Bryant, Joseph Doria and Bernard Kenny.
On the Democratic side, State Senator Wayne Bryant has publicly announced he is not seeking re-election. That is probably a wise decision given the fact that he is currently under criminal investigation and an independent monitor found that Mr. Bryant abused the public trust and fed deeply at the public trough for many years. Senators Joe Doria and Bernard Kenny have also declared their retirements from the State Senate. Both were facing the possibility of viscerally competitive primaries that had the potential of toppling either or both of them. By leaving the Senate, they can do so on their own terms or at the very least, not leave as a losing incumbent.
Of the eight Republican Senator who are not seeking re-election, Senators Robert Littell, Robert Martin, and Walter Kavanaugh were potentially facing strong primary challenges that they might not have been able to overcome. Senator Gormley, a frequent supporter of Democratic initiatives, left the Senate about a month ago; his retirement opens up the possibility for a Democratic takeover of his Senate seat. Senator Martha Bark had been under an ethical cloud but was recently cleared of wrongdoing. However, the charges levied against her may have caused her to rethink a bid for re-election. Meanwhile, the retirements of Leonard Connors, Joseph Palaia and Henry McNamara appear to be due to advancing age and long Senate careers (Connors became a Senator in 1981, Palaia in 1989 and McNamara in 1985, each having served well over 20 years in Trenton).
In the weeks ahead, other State Senators may also retire, including State Senator and former Newark Mayor Sharpe James who is facing a very strong primary challenge from Teresa Ruiz, backed by Mayor Cory Booker and much of the Essex County delegation. There are also several Senators in jeopardy of losing the upcoming Primary Election in June.
It remains to be seen whether the many new faces in the State Senate will result in palpable change in New Jersey politics. We do know that these retirements will result in the loss of a great deal of experience and knowledge about New Jersey politics and government. Given the state of politics in New Jersey, where the Legislature is suffering from dismal approval ratings and the public has lost trust in our elected officials, perhaps new blood that is not encumbered by the weight of experience and past history will be able to restore the public’s trust and the reputation of the State House.
Michael M. Shapiro, Publisher and Managing Editor of ShapTalk.com, graduated from Rutgers College and Stanford Law School. Mike currently serves as the Chairman of the New Providence Democratic Party and Editor of The Alternative Press. Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com