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O'Leary bows out of Assembly race
Greg Bean's Column
Obituaries Mayor says he cannot risk hurting Dem. Party's chances
Sports BY JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent
South Amboy Mayor John O'Leary announcedM onday that he is withdrawing from the 19th District Assembly race.
O'Leary, who will remain as mayor, said in a statement that recent anonymous attacks against him, taking the form of letters and Internet blogs
and forums, have forced him out of his first bid for state office.
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Submission "While the knowledge of the falsity behind these recent attacks would ordinarily lead me to continue my campaign, the reality is that, at this
Featured Special time, I cannot run the risk of hurting the chances for victory by Democratic candidates both on the county and local level in the 19th District
Section while these false allegations hang over my head. The Democratic Party gives our county and state the best chance for an expeditious recovery
in these difficult economic times, and I refuse to in any way serve as a detriment to its chances of victory this November," O'Leary said.
In an interview Monday night, he said he is a "different kind of Democrat" with a business­friendly philosophy that is needed in the party and
the state.
"Job creation is key," O'Leary said, noting that New Jersey is losing jobs to neighboring states, and simultaneously is paying too much for
utilities that have to be brought in from out of state. He said he will continue to serve in an advocacy role on these issues.
Middlesex County Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Spiccuzo said O'Leary's career in Middlesex County politics will be alive and well as
long as he is able to put to rest rumors of wrongdoing in his capacity as mayor.
"It's a shame. I think if Jack O'Leary straightens out his problems — if [there are problems] — then I'm sure he still has a place in Middlesex
County Democratic politics," Spiccuzo said. He said O'Leary is a great mayor, but at this point in time had to make the right decision for his
family, friends and the party.
O'Leary, however, expressed disappointment with his now former running mate.
"I am very troubled over the disingenuous actions of Assemblyman John Wisniewski over the last several weeks. I do not believe the
assemblyman was truthful with the press, and more importantly, with the people. Not to mention breaking his word to me as a running mate,
friend and longtime supporter," O'Leary said.
He said Wisniewski, who had spoken to the press about O'Leary's reconsidering the viability of his campaign, was "recruiting potential
replacements for me" and "was aware of the content of the anonymous letter prior to its distribution."
About Us O'Leary was referring to the first letter that circulated this summer accusing him, family members, and city officials of wrongdoing. Around the
Archive time the letter came out, the state Attorney General's Office issued a subpoena to city offices inquiring about O'Leary's insurance business.
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O'Leary has maintained that he has complied with the subpoena and that neither he nor his family, nor other city officials, have done anything
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While O'Leary has offered a reward for the identity of those who made the anonymous allegations about him, no one has stepped forward.
O'Leary said Monday that his legal counsel advised him not to discuss the investigation, but noted that "progress has been made. It's a work in
progress. It's moving along."
Copyright©
2000 ­ 2009 However, O'Leary said he cannot fight for his name alone.
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Terms of Use & "I have limited resources" to combat the allegations, he said, expressing disappointment that the press has been unable to aid him in disproving
Privacy the allegations that circulated.
"People can say things that are so wrong and so hurtful," he said.
O'Leary brought the conversation back to Wisniewski as someone who has not helped matters.
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software and services "I feel deeply betrayed by John Wisniewski," he said, adding that he spoke with Wisniewski two weeks before announcing his decision to
withdraw from the race. He said Wisniewski's comments to the press that he advised O'Leary regarding staying in the race were false. "You
think you know people …" O'Leary said. "I don't know what possessed him" to talk to the press, he added. "Why did he need that moment in
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O'Leary said he has supported Wisniewski as a friend and colleague for 16 years, but he said the assemblyman has his own issues in
Sayreville, where he heads the local Democratic organization.
"He doesn't even control his own city in the 19th District," he said. "He needs to get his own house together in Sayreville."

2. withdraw from the race. He said Wisniewski's comments to the press that he advised O'Leary regarding staying in the race were false. "You
think you know people …" O'Leary said. "I don't know what possessed him" to talk to the press, he added. "Why did he need that moment in
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O'Leary said he has supported Wisniewski as a friend and colleague for 16 years, but he said the assemblyman has his own issues in
Sayreville, where he heads the local Democratic organization.
"He doesn't even control his own city in the 19th District," he said. "He needs to get his own house together in Sayreville."
"That's unfortunate," Wisniewski said when told of O'Leary's comments. He adamantly stated that the allegations that he was courting potential
running mates before O'Leary's decision to leave the race, or that he knew of the contents of the anonymous letter O'Leary referenced, were
"not true."
Wisniewski said O'Leary did not inform him of his decision to pull out of the race two weeks earlier.
"Mayor O'Leary never told me he was getting out of the race," Wisniewski said. "It's not what he said."
Wisniewski clarified that his only comments to the press concerned the viability of the mayor's campaign, given the recent subpoena at a time
when the FBI has arrested 44 people, a few of them politicians, as part of a corruption string.
Regardless, Wisniewski said this wasn't the time to engage in a debate over what had happened.
"I have nothing but respect for the mayor," Wisniewski said, adding that the mayor in time may look back and feel differently about some of
the comments he has made about the assemblyman. "I'm sure this has to be a difficult time for him."
Wisniewski said the mayor's work to improve South Amboy is something to be proud of. "I've seen the transformation the city had
undergone."
As for O'Leary's future in politics, Wisniewski said, "He's the mayor of South Amboy. It's not an insignificant position." He said someone who
had accomplished as much as O'Leary has will always have a voice politically.
A reconciliation is possible, O'Leary said, but first, "I think [John Wisniewski] has got to come to grips with his own actions. Then maybe,
yes."
Regarding any bad blood between O'Leary and Wisniewski, Spiccuzo said that will be short lived, and that Wisniewski was placed in "a
difficult position."
"It was a very difficult place in time that we all had to go through," Spiccuzo said, adding they are both "good Democrats" and will work
together in the future for the good of the party.
Wisniewski said a convention will be held Sept. 2 to determine a replacement candidate for O'Leary. According to published reports, both
Woodbridge Councilman Charles Kenny and recently retired Superior Court Judge Mathias Rodriguez of Perth Amboy will seek the
candidacy, though Wisniewski said there are four potential candidates. He said he hopes the convention will take into account the
demographics of the area, including ethnicity and gender, when selecting a replacement.
Spiccuzo said he hopes to get a running mate for Wisniewski "as soon as possible."
Said Wisniewski, "The district needs to move forward."
O'Leary, in his candidacy for the state Assembly, was a replacement for former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, who was indicted in March
on numerous charges, including bidrigging and theft. Vas has remained an assemblyman despite the charges