District 40 Assembly Race Isn't Just Politics – It's Personal

Without big-ticket races on the ballot, some experts are predicting one of the lightest voter turnouts in memory. Voting lines may be quiet Tuesday, but one  has been anything but.

Democratic challenger Bill Brennan (D-Wayne) and Republican incumbent Scott Rumana (R-Wayne) have thrown haymakers at one another in recent weeks. Brennan, a former firefighter in Teaneck, is running on the platform that the Township of Wayne – particularly Rumana – is "corrupt" and he's out to expose the alleged lies of the power brokers in the Passaic township.

Rumana countered on Monday by releasing a brochure noting five police reports involving Brennan, one of which his wife reported in Wayne alleging he assaulted her. Brennan – who has publicly stated he doesn't realistically believe he can win the seat – told PolitickerNJ that Rumana's deed was an "act of retaliation" and a "desperate" move. He was never charged in the alleged assault.

Brennan filed an ethics complaint against Rumana, which was dismissed in September. The Democrat  stemming from an incident in which Rumana appeared before the state utility board lobbying on behalf of an energy plant in the township; Rumana was the co-chair of non-profit Wayne Energy Corporation (WEC).

A former mayor of Wayne, since elected to the Assembly in 2008 Rumana has been an outspoken supporter of drafting an anti-bullying bill, reducing the strength of affordable housing laws, and also voted to allow Governor Christie veto power over utility commissions.  

Also on the District 40 Republican Assembly ticket is  (R-Ridgewood), who has served as an assemblyman since 1990. A former planning board attorney in Wyckoff, Russo has co-sponsored bills to tighten pay-to-play reform and also sought to strengthen gun control laws in New Jersey.

Flanking Brennan on the Democrat side is Cassandra Lazzara (D-Little Falls), a science teacher in Woodland Park and daughter of former Passaic County Freeholder Joseph Lazzara. Lazzara's goal seems markedly different from Brennan's – her target is not Rumana, but Governor Chris Christie.

"It's not personal against Rumana and Russo," Lazzara told PolitickerNJ. "They have just had to vote in lockstep with the governor."

Endorsed by the NJEA, Lazarra has said she would also like to explore more shared service agreements between municipalities and work on women's health issues.

State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-Cedar Grove) on Tuesday is pitted in a rematch of the 2007 race senate race, in which he easily defeated current Cedar Grove Mayor John Zunic (D-Cedar Grove).

O'Toole, who  two weeks ago, is one of the big players in state politics. Thrice-elected mayor of Cedar Grove before jumping to state politics, O'Toole has been known to push Governor Christie's reform agenda but has also reached across the aisle to work with Democrats.

In an , Zunic acknowledged the difficulty faced by a Democrat running in the largely-Republican 40th District. Win or lose, he said the race will serve a learning opportunity.

"I realize it's an uphill battle, but I think it will be a good experience for me," Zunic said. "Win or lose, the knowledge and experience and contacts I make during the process should help make me a better councilman."