With the death of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne from colon cancer, the surface of a sensitive issue to succeed discreetly among the political class on Tuesday. It was followed quickly with a few thornier ones: How do occur, and when?
In conversation with several Essex County political workers, two names that were mentioned frequently: Donald Payne Jr., son of the late congressman councilman Newark and Essex County freeholder, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, Payne counts of elder among her mentors.
Less often been referred to Newark Councilman Ron Rice Jr., who was exploring a candidacy even before Payne announced that he had cancer.
The Essex County Democratic chairman, Phil Thigpen - the congressman was a second cousin - said he wanted to wait until after the funeral Payne to even broach the question of his successor, although he noted that he heard the name Oliver coming up.
"I heard this morning, but I'm not too enthusiastic about that one as she is in a very important," said Thigpen. "I'm just concerned if it is, the status of that position, that person is in a much larger force on the day to day activities in this state than does a congressman. You're thinking about that . "
Whoever is interested in following the 23-year congressional veteran, the path is tricky and difficult time limit.
For starters, the seat will remain vacant until November. And unlike the Senate seat, which the governor temporarily, can not appoint a representative.
Paul Josephson, Democratic election lawyer, explained the rest of the process this way:
Candidates must file to run in two elections in June primary is April 2 - one for the remainder of the term to fill Payne from November to January, and one regular meeting of the full term beginning in January.
In heavily-Democratic district that includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, primary is tantamount to winning the general election victory.
Come November, Josephson explained, the two general elections held, one for the special term and the other for the regular one.
But it's not that simple this year due to redistricting.
The special election will include old District 10, which limits valid until January, and regular elections will be for new District 10, which was redrawn three months ago.
Voters in Elizabeth, for example, was dropped from the district, will get to vote in special primary and general election for the last two months of the term. But they will not get to vote for two full years.
At this point, it is not clear whether or Oliver Payne wants the job, and others to be mentioned as well.
Oliver said she heard her name "in the ether today," but would not say if she had any interest, and Payne did not return calls seeking comment.
"I'm singularly focused on mourning the loss of Congressman Payne and be able to support his family in any way I can, 'said Oliver." I believe it is premature to speculate and believe it is fundamentally disrespectful for anyone to even participate in that kind of discussion on the day that the great iconic figure to run. "
There are other aspects as well.
If Oliver, of East Orange resident, to go to the House, she would occupy the seat is considered Newark. In addition, his ascension to the speaker as a result of delicate power sharing arrangement between power brokers in the North and South Jersey, and may set out procedures on nasty power struggle behind-the-scenes.
As for Payne, it is considered a leading candidate if not mayor of Newark Mayor Cory Booker seeking re-election in 2014, and could run for Congress reshape the city's political landscape.
For now, still have empty seats on Payne, and was not Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo want to speculate about who might fill. "I do not even entertain that," he said. "There was no conversation on my end."
In conversation with several Essex County political workers, two names that were mentioned frequently: Donald Payne Jr., son of the late congressman councilman Newark and Essex County freeholder, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, Payne counts of elder among her mentors.
Less often been referred to Newark Councilman Ron Rice Jr., who was exploring a candidacy even before Payne announced that he had cancer.
The Essex County Democratic chairman, Phil Thigpen - the congressman was a second cousin - said he wanted to wait until after the funeral Payne to even broach the question of his successor, although he noted that he heard the name Oliver coming up.
"I heard this morning, but I'm not too enthusiastic about that one as she is in a very important," said Thigpen. "I'm just concerned if it is, the status of that position, that person is in a much larger force on the day to day activities in this state than does a congressman. You're thinking about that . "
Whoever is interested in following the 23-year congressional veteran, the path is tricky and difficult time limit.
For starters, the seat will remain vacant until November. And unlike the Senate seat, which the governor temporarily, can not appoint a representative.
Paul Josephson, Democratic election lawyer, explained the rest of the process this way:
Candidates must file to run in two elections in June primary is April 2 - one for the remainder of the term to fill Payne from November to January, and one regular meeting of the full term beginning in January.
In heavily-Democratic district that includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, primary is tantamount to winning the general election victory.
Come November, Josephson explained, the two general elections held, one for the special term and the other for the regular one.
But it's not that simple this year due to redistricting.
The special election will include old District 10, which limits valid until January, and regular elections will be for new District 10, which was redrawn three months ago.
Voters in Elizabeth, for example, was dropped from the district, will get to vote in special primary and general election for the last two months of the term. But they will not get to vote for two full years.
At this point, it is not clear whether or Oliver Payne wants the job, and others to be mentioned as well.
Oliver said she heard her name "in the ether today," but would not say if she had any interest, and Payne did not return calls seeking comment.
"I'm singularly focused on mourning the loss of Congressman Payne and be able to support his family in any way I can, 'said Oliver." I believe it is premature to speculate and believe it is fundamentally disrespectful for anyone to even participate in that kind of discussion on the day that the great iconic figure to run. "
There are other aspects as well.
If Oliver, of East Orange resident, to go to the House, she would occupy the seat is considered Newark. In addition, his ascension to the speaker as a result of delicate power sharing arrangement between power brokers in the North and South Jersey, and may set out procedures on nasty power struggle behind-the-scenes.
As for Payne, it is considered a leading candidate if not mayor of Newark Mayor Cory Booker seeking re-election in 2014, and could run for Congress reshape the city's political landscape.
For now, still have empty seats on Payne, and was not Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo want to speculate about who might fill. "I do not even entertain that," he said. "There was no conversation on my end."
