by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

July 30, 2009

With front pages dominated by news of a statewide corruption scandal that netted both politicians and rabbis, Gov. Jon Corzine made a timely pivot in selecting as his running mate this fall a politician with a squeaky clean reputation.

That Loretta Weinberg is also a Jew was seen as a plus by members of the Jewish community, still reeling from the news of a probe that engulfed leaders of Deal’s Syrian-Jewish enclave.

State Sen. Weinberg, a 74-year-old Bergen Democrat who has long represented District 37, is known as a straight arrow, and her stand on ethics is believed to have tipped the balance in her favor.

If their ticket is successful, Weinberg will become New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor. Corzine’s opponent, former U.S. attorney Chris Christie, has also named a woman, Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno, as his running mate and contender for that role.

Commenting on her selection earlier this week, Weinberg told New Jersey Jewish News, “Our opponents talk about being prosecutors, but I think what New Jersey needs now is someone who can deal with this economic downturn, and a feisty grandmother. Who better to deal with law enforcement?”

Should the governor be knocked out of action, as he was following a major auto accident two years ago, she would take over the reins of power.

Looking back to that time, she said, “When he was finally able to take calls, I told him, ‘If you ever do that again’” — forget to put on a seat belt — “‘I’ll kill you!’” She added, “I hope that nothing like that comes close to happening again, but I do feel that I can serve a great purpose in the next Corzine administration, helping to keep a focus on working families, on our children’s education, on clean air, and access to health care — the issues that have always been my priorities.”

Republicans are expected to hit Weinberg as a “tax and spend liberal” but focus most of their energy on Corzine, who is struggling in the polls and whom opponents see as vulnerable on fiscal issues.

Corzine’s announcement followed months of bargaining and intrigue inside Democratic circles, and placed Weinberg as the winner over fellow female Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Dist. 18), reportedly one of her closest rivals for the new slot. Buono, who is also Jewish, called Weinberg “a great choice.”

In an e-mail to supporters, Corzine described his high-energy, forthright running mate as “a partner that I can trust” and someone who “will become a unique and important voice in the next Corzine administration.”

Observers took particular note of his labeling her “the conscience of the Legislature.” In a race with the lead players already slinging charges at each other for either abetting corruption or being too soft on those committing it, Weinberg is clearly intended as a “clean” presence on the ticket.

One of the most liberal state legislators, Weinberg is known for her focus on family issues, including hospital care for new mothers and their babies and funds for autism research.

Interviewed a few days after her selection to run as Corzine’s running mate, she described it as “probably the biggest event in my political career so far.” Her daughter, Francine, was visiting from California with her two children, and Weinberg put aside her grandmotherly duties — painting her granddaughter’s finger and toe nails — to talk to NJJN.

She said she hadn’t sought the position, but — according to something her daughter had told her — “I’ve always just focused on working hard, not on looking for the next thing, and opportunities have just presented themselves.”

‘Coming to the fore’

Among Weinberg’s numerous awards, in 1995 the National Council of Jewish Women gave her its Hannah G. Solomon Award, and in 2000 she was named Legislator of the Year by the Jewish War Veterans.

Melanie Gorelick, an associate with the Community Relations Council of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, welcomed the news of Weinberg’s selection.

Weinberg has been a champion of JWIN, Jewish Women’s Involvement in the Political Process, a project sponsored by the CRC, the NCJW’s Essex County Section, and the Northern NJ Region of Hadassah.

“She has attended all our events, and she has really championed the cause,” Gorelick said.

The JWIN network mentors women interested in running for office, advising them with strategies and fund-raising tips.

Shari Weiner of Morristown, the immediate past president of the Women’s Political Caucus of NJ and a former mayor of Livingston, is cochair of JWIN. Weinberg, she said, “stands for and works for all that is good in the body politic. She’s a tough and feisty, and she has fought against corruption in state government and against the old-boy network.”

Weiner said she thought the corruption arrests last week helped push Weinberg ahead of the other potential candidates. “Loretta has been known for her efforts to fight corruption,” she said. “She and Jon Corzine stand for the same good things.”

Weiner also pointed out that Weinberg was among the victims of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, losing a significant portion of her savings. “It’s wonderful that this happened now, a real recognition of what she has contributed and what she will still contribute to the state,” she said.

Whether by sheer coincidence or as part of a trend, Weinberg isn’t the only Jewish woman running for lieutenant governor this year.

Ira Forman, chief executive officer of the National Jewish Democratic Council, pointed out that in the only other statewide race this year, in Virginia, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor is also a Jewish woman, Jodie Wagner.

“We’re very proud of that,” he said. “Jews are only 2 percent of the population — slightly more in New Jersey and less in Virginia, but we’re very active in the political process. Jewish women in particular, in the last decade, have really been coming to the fore.”

Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com

--TOP--