John Adler

Former baseball star Al Leiter said today that he will not likely run against Congressman-elect John Adler in 2010.

“I definitely have been curious enough to still be around the political scene… and my interest is there, while it’s stronger sometimes and weaker than others.  So that’s why I don’t ever dismiss the idea of running someday.  But I know I’m not ready now, and I’m almost certain that in 2010 I won’t be ready,” he said.

Some Republicans courted Leiter, a Toms River native who currently lives in Florida and works as a sports commentator, to run for in the 3rd Congressional District last year.  But Leiter said at the time that he’d rather get some local experience as an elected official, either in New Jersey or Florida, before running for federal office.

State Sen. John Adler’s (D-Camden) win last week in the 3rd Congressional District leaves vacant the chairman’s seat on the state Senate Judiciary Committee, and right now at least three senators serving on the committee have quietly expressed interest in the job.

Sources say state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex), and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), want to succeed Adler, while two other senators with legal cred say they’re satisfied with their present chairmanships and don’t want to make a play for judiciary chair.

“It would be an interesting chairmanship,” admitted state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex). “But I can’t imagine a more challenging chairmanship than the budget committee, and right now with the economy what it is, I would like to stay focused.”

Bill Layton and the Republican Party are trying to regroup after devastating losses in Burlington County last week, which the GOP county chairman said were the result of key Philadelphia ad buys by the Democrats, the economic climate and high turnout in the urban areas.

In the presidential race, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.) blew out Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in Burlington by 19 percent.

“We did everything we could have done,” said Layton. “The hard part about this is most times you can come away from an election say, ‘if only we had a little more money, we could have done other piece of mail here, another ad there.’ But just looking at the numbers, it’s hard to put in perspective things we could have done differently. It was just too much. The only thing I can say right now on the positive side is there won’t be a lot of excitement next year for Jon Corzine.”

State Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) won the 3rd Congressional district last night by performing particularly well in Burlington County and Cherry Hill, while keeping Republican Chris Myers’ margin of victory to under 12 percent in Ocean County.

In Burlington County, Adler beat Myers by over 16,000 votes, 79,846 to 63,497.  In Adler’s hometown of Cherry Hill – the only Camden County municipality in the district, he beat Myers by a huge margin – 20,077 to 11,322.  And in Ocean County, which Republicans were counting on, Myers beat Adler by about11,000 votes, 71,340 to 56,191. 

Combined, Adler won 51.6% of the total vote to Myers' 48.4% -- a margin of about 10,000 votes. 

MOUNT LAUREL –   There was a loud roar when State Sen. John Adler took the stage to make his congressional victory speech at the Marriott Hotel tonight. 

“I guess that’s what it sounds like when you wait 122 years to vote for a Democrat,” said Adler.

It was a huge night for South Jersey Democrats.

Not only was it a good night for Adler, the first Democrat to represent this district since the late 19th century, but for the Burlington County Democrats, who picked up a County Clerk seat and two freeholders – routing the Republicans this time around.  That Barack Obama looked to be on a sure path to victory against John McCain didn’t dampen the mood either.

“I take this vote as a mandate for positive change for society,” said Adler. 

Mt. Laurel -- The hotel ballroom just erupted in cheers as John Adler made his way inside.

Myers Campaign Manager Mark Warren said that Chris Myers called Adler to concede.

Democrats have picked up a Republican House seat in New Jersey's third district, with State Sen. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) defeating Medford Mayor Christopher Myers.  The incumbent, Republican Jim Saxton, is retiring after 24 years in Congress.  Democrats have not won this seat since 1882.

John Adler remains in the war room upstairs, but his supporters seem optimistic about victory based on apparently strong results out of Burlington County.

Evesham Mayor Randy Brown just addressed the crowd, saying that every last precincts remains to be counted, but hinted that a victory speech is imminent.

“I’ve got the feeling that you’re really going to like what’s going to come down the elevator.”

The formerly “pensive” room has transformed into a party atmosphere.

MT. LAUREL -- The buffet has opened at John Adler’s party at the Mt. Laurel Marriot, and Evesham Mayor Randy Brown is emceeing the ceremonies.

Brown warned the crowd them that this race will be tight, as expected. So far, all they have to go by are numbers coming out of heavily Republican Ocean County.

“It’s going to be a long night. Get ready," he said.