Collazos-Gill ends bid for State Assembly, says decision was hers

Alixon Collazos-Gill formally announced today that she was dropping out of the race for a seat in the New Jersey State Assembly, clearing the way for a vote on Thursday to replace the entire Democratic ticket in the 27th district.

Her announcement comes at the end of a tumultuous week that began on Monday when State Sen. Richard J. Codey (D-Roseland) surprisingly announced that he was retiring after a legislative career that began in 1973.  That led to a potential fight between Collazos-Gill’s husband, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) for Codey’s Senate seat.   Gill later decided to back McKeon for Senate and run for his open Assembly seat.

“As many of you may have heard, I have decided not to pursue the Assembly seat for LD27,” she said in an email to Montclair Democrats.    “The recent retirement of Governor Codey has  given me an opportunity to reflect on my own future, and I have decided to withdraw my name from the ballot.”

Her withdrawal led to the apparent selection of Livingston Councilwoman Rosaura Bagolie for the other Assembly seat on the ticket.

Collazos-Gill is supporting Bagolie, who is also Latina.

“Let me be clear, no one speaks for me other than me.  My decision is based on what I believe is in the best interests of our community and my family.  I am confident that John McKeon and Brendan will provide excellent representation to this district,” Collazos-Gill said.  “I am also confident that my seat in the delegation will be filled by someone who represents the rich diversity that exists in our communities.”

Democratic county committee members from Clifton, Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Roseland and West Orange will meet on August 24 to pick a new slate of candidates in a safe Democratic legislative district.

Collazos-Gill, a Democratic state committeewoman from Essex County and a former congressional aide, entered the race in March after Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Montclair) announced his retirement.