Carter gets Green Assembly seat

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter will fill the seat of the late Jerry Green in the New Jersey State Assembly.  She has the endorsements of the Democratic county chairs in Union, Middlesex and Somerset counties and of Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp.

Green passed away on April 18 at the age of 79.

News of Carter replacing Green in the legislature first appeared on InsiderNJ.

“Like everyone else, I was incredibly saddened by Jerry’s passing,” said Carter, a Plainfield resident. “As my longtime friend and mentor, I saw Jerry fight for everyday people who felt their voices were never heard. If I’m fortunate enough to succeed him, I am eager to continue that fight in the General Assembly.”

There was no disagreement that that seat would go to Plainfield, the largest town in the 22nd district.  Mapp, as mayor and Democratic Municipal Chairman, had the right of refusal and insiders say Mapp could have had the seat if he wanted it.  He decided he wanted to remain as mayor.

With the support of Mapp and the party chairs, Carter is no considered a sure thing when a special election is held on May 15.

“Linda has been one of my most important partners in Plainfield,” Mapp said. “She is an energetic and passionate public servant who has served for seven years as a Plainfield councilwoman and then for the last eight as a Freeholder. I’ve seen firsthand the commitment she brings to helping our residents. She will be a powerful voice for Plainfield families in the General Assembly.”

Scutari, who is also the State Senator from the district, said she has “the perfect combination of experience and talent, and I look forward to working with her” and McCabe called her a “tenacious advocate.”

Carter also has the backing of Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaeffer and Assemblyman Jim Kennedy (D-Rahway).