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Motivated to boost Currie to clerk's seat

Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado is in line to replace Sen. Kevin O'Toole in the 40th District.(Photo: northjersey.com file photo)

Passaic County Clerk KristinCorrado's victory in the 40th Legislative District Senate primary last monthturned out to be one of the more bitter, intra-Republican Party skirmishes this year.

And her success was fueled with the generous support of a familiar Democratic operation.

Corrado's campaign was financed, in part, by family and allies of U.S. Rep. William Pascrell, the former Paterson mayor and Passaic County kingpin. Pascrell's affiliates -- including his son, lobbyistWilliam Pascrell III -- contributed to the Republican Corrado's cause.

The reasons for Pascrell's involvement are varied, but it reflects the complicated,bipartisan tangle of power and interests that have shaped Passaic County politics for decades.

Bill Pascrell(Photo: Susan Walsh/AP)

For one thing, the ties are personal. Pascrell III is close to Peter Murphy, the powerful operative from Totowa and former Passaic County Republican Party chairman who served as Corrado's chief benefactor in her vanquishing of primary rival Paul DiGaetano of Franklin Lakes, who is also the Bergen County Republican chairman.

Pascrell III also said Murphy is the godfather of his youngest child.

But strategically, Corrado's victory in capturing the Republican nomination could open the Passaic County clerk's seat. Longtime Pascrell ally John Currie, who doubles as both state and Passaic County Democratic Party chairman, is eyeing a run to be her replacement.

Pascrell III acknowledged that elevating Currie to that seat -- which paid Corrado over $111,000 last year -- was a strategic imperative.

"John Currie isvery important to me, to my dad, and our organization,'' Pascrell said.

Passaic County Democratic chairman John Currie is considering a run for county clerk.(Photo: northjersey.com file photo)

A couple of key procedural steps would need to take place in order to position Currie to vie for that seat. Former 40th District Sen. Kevin O'Toole of Cedar Grove,resigned from the Senate seat last month,and it is widely expected that Corrado will be selected to be his replacement.

Republican committees from the four counties with towns in the 40th District Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris plan to meet Wednesday in Totowa to select O'Toole's replacement.

State law forbids dual office holding, so Corrado would have to step down immediately if she is sworn in as a senator. It would then be up to Gov. Chris Christieto appoint an interim clerk.

If Corrado is sworn in as a senator before Sept.12, an election for county clerk would then be on the November ballot. If she is sworn in after Sept.12, the county clerk's election would be delayed until November2018.

Corrado's campaign was financed by several longtime allies of the Pascrell organization, including $2,600 from Pascrell III. They includedEd Farmer, the congressman's former chief of staff and chief executive of a grant writing firm, who contributed $1,000 and Keith Furlong, who has handled public relations for Currie and other Passaic democrats, who donated $1,000.

Al Gaburo, the Somerset County Republican chairman and is also partner in Pascrell's Trenton lobbying firm, contributed $5,500.

The Eagleton Institute's Center on the American Governor released last week "From Candidate To Governor-Elect: Recommendations for Gubernatorial Transitions," a colorfuland anecdotal how-to guide for the next New Jersey governor. It's culled from interviews from ex-governors and former officials who oversaw the hectic but crucial transitions.

The report's presentation was adorned with several pull-out quotes, including this intriguing one from former Gov. Thomas H. Kean about the potential useful wisdom aformer governor can impart to anewcomer.

Tom Kean Sr.(Photo: CHRIS PEDOTA / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

"I think former governors can be very helpful to present governors, if present governors have the humility to reach out,'' he said.

That struck as a possible jab at Christie. Kean mentored Christie as a teen-aged aspiring political mover during Kean's first run for governor in 1976. AndChristie's relations with Kean have been rocky since Christie's ill-fated attempt to dislodge Kean's son, Thomas H. Kean Jr., from the Senate minority leader's post in November 2013.

But Eagleton officials noted that the quote was pulled from an interview Kean gave to Eagleton in May 2011 -- two years before Christie's failed coup attempt. In the interview, Kean was referring to the useful and collegial advice he received from two Democratic predecessors, Brendan T. Byrneand Richard J. Hughes.

It's worth noting that theinterview was also conducted only 15 months after Christie's own rocky transition from former Gov. Jon Corzine'sadministration. In an interview on Friday, Kean said Christie did reach out to him for advice during that time.

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Stile: Republican Corrado's victory aided by Democrat Pascrell - NorthJersey.com