Just before we rang in the New Year, Senate President Steve Sweeney finally ended his 14 year stint on the Gloucester County Freeholder Board, just days before the board is set to swear in 2 new Republican Freeholders. While we at Save Jersey appreciate the Senate President finally ending his practice of dual office holding, which was banned three years ago for any future office holders, but preserved for those who wrote the law. One third of all New Jersey legislators hold more than one office. Governor Christie is trying to outlaw the practice entirely, but of course is meeting opposition from dual office offenders like Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.
Sweeney leaving spells trouble for the democrats in a county that continues to turn a solid shade of red. While Sweeney says he is leaving due to the stresses of holding both jobs (maybe another reason to end the practice?) it is increasingly clear that his chances for reelection have been diminishing for quite some time. This year he would be up for reelection for both his Senate seat and his Freeholder seat. If the local pressures were enough to take him down from the Freeholder board via the voice of the people, it could have ended his Senate career as well. An embarrassing ending for a partisan leader like himself. However, despite his increasing unpopularity in places like Woodbury, Washington Township, and Monroe, President Sweeney will be able to rely on the few areas in Camden County as a boon to keep his Senate career alive, and distancing himself from an otherwise failed democratic Freeholder Board may help to boost his numbers at home as well.
I’ve said it before, Steve Sweeney is no idiot when it comes to the political game. And now he’s even had the taste of being in the big man’s chair for a little while, handling the “snowpocalypse” in Governor Christie’s absence. He’s not looking to end his career just because his constituency is finally seeing the light and have begun to vote the bums out. But unlike a valiant captain, President Sweeney will not go down with his partisan ship. He’s swimming to shore and leaving them to drown.
What will be important for Gloucester County is to remember that even though he does not serve on the board any longer, Sweeney is still accountable for its actions. This is South Jersey, the machines here function with the same masters whether they hold office or not. Look for Sweeney to still have an active role in giving the remaining puppets on the Freeholder board all of their orders.
