| TRENTON — State Sen. Loretta Weinberg, one of the Legislature's most liberal and reform-minded members, has been tapped by Gov. Jon S. Corzine as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Corzine's campaign hasn't officially announced Weinberg's selection, but it has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference today in Englewood, one town east from Weinberg's native Teaneck, to introduce his running mate. Democratic officials confirmed the pick. Weinberg, 74, has at times been at odds with the Democratic county bosses running the Bergen County party machinery, and Corzine sided with her in an intraparty dispute with since-indicted party boss Joseph Ferriero. Her selection enthused some of the party's progressive activists and seemed to be well-received by its elected officials, who said her reputation would be useful as an antidote to concerns about public corruption. "Her integrity is beyond reproach, so that certainly would be a factor. And it's always fun to have someone who's willing to tweak the nose of the establishment. She certainly has that reputation," said Assemblyman John McKeon, D-Essex. Monday is the deadline to name running mates. Weinberg was selected to fill an Assembly vacancy in 1992, then won six terms there before being selected to fill a Senate vacancy in 2005. She trailed that vote by three votes, only to prevail after a month-long court battle when five sealed, provisional ballots were ultimately counted, all of them cast for Weinberg. Weinberg is a widow with two children and two grandchildren. She lost the life savings she and her late husband, Irwin, earned running an equipment business in the Bernard Madoff ponzi scheme. Among the laws Weinberg has sponsored are ones that require insurance companies to pay for at least 48 hours of hospital care for new mothers and for mammograms for women under age 40. Weinberg is a primary sponsor of legislation that would authorize same-sex marriage in New Jersey. It would characterize all unions as civil marriages and specifies that no member of the clergy or any religion would be required to solemnize a marriage that violates their free exercise of religion. She is also sponsor of legislation that would end all dual office holding and a proposal to reform the actions of county political committees by requiring bylaws, public access to lists of committee members and secret ballots for contested votes. Reach Michael Symons at msymons@gannett.com |
