Cohen Resignation: Cattle call for replacements

PolitickerNJ has a laser focus on the Assemblyman Cohen scandal and resignation.

I am gathering the loose ends together for those junkies who never tire of Jersey's most famous crop -- no, it is NOT the Ramapo tomato, nor 'big R', it's political scandal and machinations. (For another view, check out today's Countywatchers post.)

The 9:24 AM resignation by Cohen was effectively a cattle call for all aspiring pols to start warming up their shtick.

Among those mentioned:

• Freeholder Angel Estrada, a consummate Union County political insider who also happens to be Latino (Sen. Lesniak has vowed a minority person will get the seat). This would allow the use of one of the favorite political gambits -- move politicians up the ladder one rung at a time and fill the slot left behind with a more junior person;
  
  
• Roselle Mayor Garrett Smith is definitely interested and since Cohen is from Roselle, it seems possible that his replacement will be too, though not likely to be Smith, who has crossed swords with Union County Dem boss Charlotte DeFilippo. What is the old saying?... "over my something or other body...";
  
  
• Which brings us to two lesser known names (at least on this end of the county): newcomer Roselle Councilor Cecilia Dallis-Ricks, a Cohen ally, and longtime Elizabeth Councilor Patricia Perkins-Auguste, who is being championed by Mayor Chris Bollwage.

Nature, the law, and Union County Dem chair DeFilippo all agree on one thing: They hate a vacuum.

DeFilippo promises Union County Dems will come up with a replacement within the statutorily required 35 days, which will also fall just days before the state's election calendar deadline for getting a name on the November ballot.

My guess is the decision is already made, it only remains for the Politburo to summon the faithful to a rubber-stamp meeting.

At least, they'll probably get some free munchies.

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PolitickerNJ covers the Cohen crisis --

• "Cohen resigns"
• "DeFilippo: Cohen's seat to be filled within 35 days"
• "Estrada puts his name out there to succeed Cohen"
• "Mayor Smith eyeballs District 20 Assembly seat"
• "Perkins-Auguste interested in vacated Assembly seat; Dallis-Ricks favored out of Roselle"

-- Dan Damon

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