Donald Norcross sat across from a fellow union colleague in the diner booth, listening as the ironworker expressed his desire to enter the political arena.

Friday, Norcross reprised that diner conversation of 15 years ago with one Stephen Sweeney, who has gone on to become a Gloucester County freeholder and state Senator. Except at this diner chat it was Norcross expressing a desire to enter the political arena himself.

"For the better part of 20 years, I've helped encourage people to get involved in the process of becoming a public official," Norcross said as he sat in front of a bowl of chowder at the Colonial Diner in Woodbury.

With his three children grown the youngest is a senior in college the grandfather of two suggested the "time was right" to stop giving political advice and start listening to what others can offer.

Norcross, 50, is a last minute entry in the Assembly race this November, having been nominated to fill a ballot slot on the Democratic ticket created when Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts withdrew his candidacy.

"It's not everyday that a Joe Roberts retires," said Norcross.

Roberts is leaving after 22 years in the Assembly, a move that had been widely speculated for most of the summer.

Norcross a Camden resident formerly of Voorhees Township said he had a "series of discussions" with his wife and children before offering his candidacy. Saturday, he was the only one considered by Democratic committeemen in the 5th legislative district, one that spans from Deptford Township to Camden.

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, selected to preside over the nomination proceedings, asked for a voice vote.

All in favor of Norcross, he asked.

There was a loud response.

"All opposed say no," Andrews continued.

"Congratulations," Andrews offered Norcross, not stopping to wait for any opposition.

While not suggesting he can quickly fill Roberts' shoes if elected in a little over 50 days, Norcross asserted he is not a stranger to the workings of the Legislature in Trenton.

"He has done it largely behind the scenes," Andrews said. "Now he deserves to be in the limelight."

As president of the 85,000-member Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, the electrician by trade noted he has been in the Statehouse halls for business over the years.

His trade has taken him to most every industrial plant and refinery along the Delaware River and his union title has put him in front of officials in the 5th district, including its four towns in Gloucester County.

"Taking that to the next step as a public official is a natural," he said.

Having 50 days to campaign means, as Norcross says, he will "literally will hit the ground running."

"Although I may not have been out front as a public servant, I've been out front an advocate," he said, citing his years with the United Way of Camden County two of which were as chairman and as vice chairman of the group that landed the U.S.S. New Jersey as a floating museum on the Camden waterfront.

If elected, he says he will continue the push for a light rail line in Gloucester County, development of blue collar jobs with "living wages" and for the development of the former landfill in Bellmawr that is eyed as an industrial/commercial complex with the prospect of such destination retailers as a Bass Pro Shop.

The rail line push would come in tandem with Sweeney his one time high school classmate at Pennsauken High.