Dennis McNerney won 61% of the vote when he was re-elected to a second term in New Jersey's largest counties, but Democratic insiders say there is no real consideration of the Bergen County Executive as a possible running mate for Gov. Jon Corzine. Some Democrats say his close ties to former Democratic County Chairman Joseph Ferriero ends his viability as a statewide candidate. But there are a few Democrats who suggest that McNerney, who has won four consecutive countywide elections, lacks the gravitas to run for Lt. Governor.
Bergen County made up 11% of the total votes cast in the 2005 gubernatorial election, and the county is considered a must-win for a Republican candidate. No Republican has ever won a statewide election in New Jersey without carrying Bergen County, and it is difficult to come up with math that shows a GOP win without it.
The bigger question for McNerney is whether the Bergen County Democratic Organization will back him for a third term next year. That could depend on how Ferriero fares at his federal corruption trial later this year and if the newly-elected party leader, Michael Kasparian, decides that pulling McNerney would advance his call for increased transparency and change in county politics.
McNerney's political future could also be influenced by the results of the governor's race. If there is a GOP Governor, Republicans would likely target the 2010 race for County Executive and could have the money to make a race.
