Republicans in the 39th legislative district have put hatchets to ground, ending a short-lived fight over the succession of late State Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Demarest).
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) will run for the district’s vacant Senate seat with Bergen County Republicans at her back, while Assemblyman Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan), a longtime friend and former aide to Cardinale, will run for re-election under the organization’s banner.
“As we look at the challenges our state faces, it is in the best interests of the people of Bergen County that they maintain the strong legislative representation provided by both of these leaders,” said Jack Zisa, Chair of the BCRO. “It is also important to the BCRO that we remain unified in the face of the legislative and campaign efforts being pushed by Governor Murphy and his allies in Trenton.”
Earlier Wednesday, the New Jersey Globe reported Auth had dropped his own bid for Senate, a move made to avoid a potentially costly primary fight in the strongly Republican district.
He had announced on Saturday a challenge to Schepisi at the Bergen BCRO’s March 9 special election convention to fill Cardinale’s seat with the backing of the senator’s widow, former Demarest Councilwoman Carole Cardinale.
“My focus is and always has been on doing what is best for the people of Bergen County whom I serve,” Auth said. “By coming together and maintaining what has been a strong legislative team over the past seven years, I believe we are continuing to meet that goal.”
Schepisi could take the State Senate seat as early as March 11, the first quorum in the chamber after the March 9 convention. Her ascension will trigger another special election to fill her Assembly seat that must be held between seven and 35 days from the date of her resignation from the lower chamber.
“I am proud that we have come together at this crucial time in the state’s history to put the interests of Bergen and Passaic County residents first,” Schepisi said. “I look forward to continuing to work as a legislative team with Bob Auth so we can continue our positive record.”