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In some political races, it's impossible to endorse anybody.

In others, it's a tough choice between good candidates.

The 2nd District Assembly race falls into that second, fortunate category - where voters could be served well by any of the four candidates running. However, Democratic challengers Reginald Floyd and Jimmy Martinez don't make a compelling enough case to unseat two incumbents who have been thoughtful, hard-working legislators, and who are able to put the good of the Atlantic City region above partisan interests when the two conflict.

Incumbents Vince Polistina and John Amodeo have a solid record of working for the region. They broke party lines and became the only two Republicans to vote for a New Jersey stimulus bill because it could help Atlantic City. They worked to protect the casino industry in the event of another state shutdown, and we have no doubt they will work diligently to prevent video lottery terminals at racetracks.

Both clearly grasp, as well, the broader fiscal issues affecting the state. Polistina, in particular, has been sensitive to the bottom line of so much "feel-good" legislation in Trenton that sounds great but costs taxpayers money.

Being effective in the minority party sometimes means shelving partisan rhetoric in order to make alliances. Of the two, Amodeo - a union crane operator who is less conservative than Polistina on some issues - seems better able to bridge the partisan divide. But both expressed disappointment with the difficulty of trying to be bipartisan in a solidly Democratic Statehouse.

Floyd and Martinez have seized on that Trenton dynamic and emphasized they could work more easily with Trenton leadership and Atlantic County state Sen. James Whelan, a Democrat. Floyd is a lawyer and pastor; Martinez is a Northfield city councilman and service manager for a home-security systems company.

Floyd in particular is an attractive candidate. Of the two, he is the most specific and seems the most in command of the issues. He previously worked in the law offices of former Republican state Sen. William Gormley and now works in the offices of former Atlantic County Democratic Chairman James Carroll. He also spent two years working as an Atlantic City public defender. Those are broad credentials - and his ties to City Hall could help forge a more cooperative relationship between city government and regional officials.

Still, Floyd has no experience in public office. Both Floyd and Martinez are earnest, fresh faces on the political scene who we would like to see more of in the future. But neither overcomes the hurdle of voting out two sitting assemblymen who have served the area diligently, thoughtfully and well.

10 comments:

• ThomasP (7) posts 8:32 pm

  Thank you Deedle I agree 100 percent and I know John Devlin Personally. He has my vote.

• Deedle (22) posts 7:31 pm

  Our state is in the toilet! Vote all the bums out! And keep voting them out untill we find the one's who'll fix this mess & not just line their pockets. Republicans & democrats both stink! Vote for the person not the party! We need to start voting with our brains - not our emotions. And certainly not by the lies they all spew in their commercials.

• Devlin (5) posts 2:15 pm

  John Devlin has proudly served our community and country as a United States Marine and Atlantic City Police Officer. A union member of both the Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 24 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 331, John says his biggest challenge has been restoring civility and stability on the Atlantic City School Board. As a member of the board, John spearheaded an initiative to verify student residency and weed out fraudulent registrations, saving the district nearly $800,000. John and his wife Jessica have two young children.

• Devlin (5) posts 4:30 pm

  nice way to bury a post again. What I do not see here is a Story on these Proud men and thier Families: DeMaio(Freeholder at Large)/Devlin(Freeholder District 2)/Mento (District 5) All of Witch Live and Serve New Jersey. Thier plan you say? Well let us take a look. Our Plan for Tax Relief • Conduct operational audit to identify and cut unnecessary spending. • Share services between county and local governments for real cost savings. • Save jobs with practical measures such as the Democratic-led effort to rescue over 800 jobs at Boscov’s at no expense to taxpayers. John Devlin has helped in alot of the political forms of government for Atlantic city and anyone he can reach out too. I do not see any of this being discussed. He is a Marine,Police Officer, School Board and Family man. He has Saved this City alot of money. Thier web site address is: http://www.taxrelief09.com/ While Democrats are trying to cut the Budget and save Tax Payers from being pushed offshore. The republican view is spend spend spend. So if you are tired of it as I am you can find more information on the site listed above and Start getting educated. Spend spend spend? or Is it time for a Change? Funny Thing is if you go to the Republican website there is no Goal. Give John Devlin Chance and He will come through for You.

• amberi (13) posts 5:38 pm

  I know Reggie Floyd personally. He works at a law firm in Galloway, and he's worked for both Republicans and Democrats. I also know many politicians, and Reggie is the kind of guy that will help you out when no one else will. He's a good person with a huge heart. At the end of the day, many of these candidates and politicians are flashy people wearing slick suits that promise you one thing and then stab you in the back or are just looking out for their own selfish interests. Reggie is the kind of friend that you have when everyone else has turned their back on you. Don't listen to the negative comments Democrats or whatever party, I know him personally, he's a good person, and we need more people like him in office. He doesn't care about the politics, he'll help you personally, and he'll look out for you like a good friend does, and help you when everyone else has turned their backs.

• amberi (13) posts 5:37 pm

  I know Reggie Floyd personally. He works at a law firm in Galloway, and he's worked for both Republicans and Democrats. I also know many politicians, and Reggie is the kind of guy that will help you out when no one else will. He's a good person with a huge heart. At the end of the day, many of these candidates and politicians are flashy people wearing slick suits that promise you one thing and then stab you in the back or are just looking out for their own selfish interests. Reggie is the kind of friend that you have when everyone else has turned their back on you. Don't listen to the negative comments Democrats or whatever party, I know him personally, he's a good person, and we need more people like him in office. He doesn't care about the politics, he'll help you personally, and he'll look out for you like a good friend does, and help you when everyone else has turned their backs.

• amberi (13) posts 5:37 pm

  I know Reggie Floyd personally. He works at a law firm in Galloway, and he's worked for both Republicans and Democrats. I also know many politicians, and Reggie is the kind of guy that will help you out when no one else will. He's a good person with a huge heart. At the end of the day, many of these candidates and politicians are flashy people wearing slick suits that promise you one thing and then stab you in the back or are just looking out for their own selfish interests. Reggie is the kind of friend that you have when everyone else has turned their back on you. Don't listen to the negative comments Democrats or whatever party, I know him personally, he's a good person, and we need more people like him in office. He doesn't care about the politics, he'll help you personally, and he'll look out for you like a good friend does, and help you when everyone else has turned their backs.

• taxman (67) posts 1:37 pm

  Mr. Devlin I like your style and your two partners in this race. You have my vote. And I will pass the good word for your election. Good luck on November 3rd. The cards are stacked against you but I believe you will win this year. Just don't be like that looser Cooper. She & DL are cut from the same two faced cloth.

• Devlin (5) posts 12:37 pm

  What I do not see here is a Story on these Proud men and thier Families: DeMaio(Freeholder at Large)/Devlin(Freeholder District 2)/Mento (District 5) All of Witch Live and Serve New Jersey. Thier plan you say? Well let us take a look. Our Plan for Tax Relief • Conduct operational audit to identify and cut unnecessary spending. • Share services between county and local governments for real cost savings. • Save jobs with practical measures such as the Democratic-led effort to rescue over 800 jobs at Boscov’s at no expense to taxpayers. John Devlin has helped in alot of the political forms of government for Atlantic city and anyone he can reach out too. I do not see any of this being discussed. He is a Marine,Police Officer, School Board and Family man. He has Saved this City alot of money. Thier web site address is: http://www.taxrelief09.com/ While Democrats are trying to cut the Budget and save Tax Payers from being pushed offshore. The republican view is spend spend spend. So if you are tired of it as I am you can find more information on the site listed above and Start getting educated. Spend spend spend? or Is it time for a Change? Funny Thing is if you go to the Republican website there is no Goal. Give John Devlin Chance and He will come through for You.

• taxman (67) posts 12:33 pm

  Is it any surprise to anyone that the press editorial board did not yet again endorse another set of DEMOCRATS. You should not be. Just another left-handed toast for the challengers and a pat on their butts to make us all feel good. Polistina and Amodio have done NOTHING for this region. Did you read me? Nothing, Name one thing? They talk and yack and gab but point to one FINISHED job. They are in a jam and the press once again bailed them out. We finally have a chance in this region to have our voices heard in Trenton and the press blew it again. Keep drinking the Levinson KOOL-AID and you will get what you deserve.

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