Dawkins explores Senate bid against Bucco

Attorney Cliff Dawkins has announced that he will explore a bid for the Democratic State Senate nomination in the 25th district.

State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton) won a special election convention to replace his late father in October and is expected to run in a November 2020 special election for the remaining fourteen months of the Senate term.

“I’m considering entering the race for State Senate because we deserve a new kind of leadership in Trenton,” Dawkins said.  “It is clear to me from my conversations with friends, family, and neighbors that our representatives have not been doing enough for families here in the 25th District.”

Rupande Mehta, a progressive activist and former freeholder candidate, entered the race for Senate two days after the last election.

Morris Township Mayor Jeff Grayzel is also a potential candidate for Senate, but has declined to discuss running for office next year until the 2019 campaign results are finalized.

Republican incumbent Peter Mancuso has been certified as the winner by 15 votes, but Democrats have filed a court challenge to force the counting of 42 unopened ballots, some of which might include issues related to bad glue on the envelopes.

An employment and labor attorney at Sills Cummis, Dawkins sought a seat on the Rockaway Borough Council last month and lost by just 49 votes to Republican Russell Greuter.

“We need property tax relief, affordable healthcare, fully funded schools, and investment in our infrastructure.  I’m looking forward to meeting voters all across the 25th District to listen to their concerns and discuss new ideas,” said Dawkins.  “Now is our moment to come together and build a future our community can truly be proud of.”