Platkin’s confirmation could be augmented by Cody’s primaries against Gil in the Senate

A new legislative map containing two senators from the Essex Democratic Party in one constituency could help Senate approve Matt Platkin as attorney general

Montclair, the municipality of Essex County with the largest number of Democratic voters in the 27th constituency, where a showdown between Richard Cody (D. Rosland) and Nia Gill (D. Moncler) is possible, is Platkin’s hometown.

Platkin already received the support of key progressive leaders who worked with him on reproductive rights, social justice and weapons when he served as Governor’s Advocate to Phil Murphy from 2018 to 2020, including Blue Wave NJ President Marcy Marley, a resident of Moncler who is a member of the Democratic National Committee from New Jersey.

Platkin’s support also comes from Democrats in Livingston, Milburn and West Orange, all of the municipalities currently represented by Cody, a former governor and MP since 1974, and new to Gil, who began his career as a lawmaker in 1994. .

If Cody first comes out of the box to support Platkin’s nomination, as expected, it could put Jill in a corner as she seeks progressive votes in what will likely be out of the net to retain her seat.

“Matt Platkin is a resident of Moncler, and his beliefs reflect a solid progressive view of Essex County. He is all about Governor Cody, Senator Gill and this county – equality, justice, fairness and democracy, “said Hattie Rosenstein, a retired CWA director of state and a staunch supporter of Platkin.” I don’t understand how any of them can withstand this appointment and count on winning the primaries in this constituency. Why should they do it? “

Mika Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for Politics in New Jersey at Ryder University, believes that Platkin’s nomination could be a problem at the 2023 Senate primaries if one of the candidates is not in the lineup.

“As Platkin’s progressive supporters quickly mobilized to promote his confirmation, it would be reasonable to expect them to be prepared to pounce on any detractor who happens to be in the primaries,” Rasmussen said. “And in primaries, where attendance is often lower, any well-organized group can change the situation.”

But one well-known progressive activist from Montclair, Mara Novak, does not believe that Platkin’s nomination will necessarily be a matter of the June 2023 election campaign, calling the struggle for confirmation “inside baseball.”

“She often votes against the party. In such a scenario, she can easily work on “I am an independent voice,” Novak said. “I would be shocked if her decision regarding Platkin was politically justified. I would be surprised if she changes course. “

So far, Senate Majority Leader Theresa Ruiz (D-Newark) is the only Essex senator to have signed Platkin’s nomination. Under the unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy, Platkin will need the consent of Cody, Gil and State Senator Ronald Rice (D-Newark) before the Judicial Committee considers his candidacy.

Gil used politeness to block candidates in the past.

In 2007 she faced criticism for postponing the appointment of Attorney General Stuart Rabner, a resident of Essex County, whom Governor John Corzin nominated for the post of Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Gil resigned after a week of confrontation.

Theodore Stevens III has remained acting Essex County Attorney since 2018 after Gill refused to sign Murphy’s candidacy.

Cody has already beaten Gil in just ten days with a new card. He spoke with party leaders to secure commitments for his 14th term in the Senate. Gil has not yet spoken to key Democrats who could be involved in awarding the organizational line, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Last Friday, Cody hastened to express his approval of President Joe Biden’s nomination of Ketanjie Brown Jackson as the first black woman to serve as an assistant judge at the U.S. Supreme Court. It took Gil several hours to comment on Brown Jackson.

As of November last year, Cody had $ 827,658 in his campaign complaint. Gil had $ 20,701 in cash.

Platkin is acting Attorney General while he awaits Senate approval.