Correa likely to succeed Blackman in Dover

Dover Democratic Municipal Chairman Edward Correa, the principal architect of a complete change of control of local government in Dover, is expected to fill the alderman seat left vacant by election of Carolyn Blackman as mayor.

Blackman will take office at noon after unseating longtime incumbent James P. Dodd in the November 2019 general election.

At a special meeting last night, the local Democratic county committee nominated Correa, along with Estela Roibal and Angel Cordero, Jr. to fill the vacancy.

Blackman’s seat is up this year and Correa, the overwhelming front runner for the post, is likely to seek a two-year term. 

Correa replaced James Visioli as municipal chairman in 2018 after leading an insurgent group of Democrats that won 19 of 24 contested races for county committee and four ward alderman seats. 

Morris County Democratic Chairman Chip Robinson game the Correa-backed Dover First slate the organization line in a bid to have the local party organization reflect the diversity of a town that is 69.4% Hispanic.

In 2019, Dodd and his running mates skipped the Democratic primary and sought re-election as an independent.  They were beaten narrowly by Blackman and her team.