Legislature is headed for historic turnover

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, November, 2007 | by Cynthia Burton Inquirer Staff Writer

No matter what voters have to say Tuesday, there will be at least 13 new senators and 27 new Assembly members next year in Trenton. The turnover in the 120-member Legislature will rival the 1973 Watergate-era blowout, when Republicans lost 39 seats, and the shake-up of 1991, when voters tossed out 31 Democrats after the Legislature backed Gov.

Jim Florio's tax hikes. This time, corruption is the striking theme, with incumbents who are simply retiring or seeking higher office joined by others facing criminal problems. Sens. Wayne Bryant (D., Camden) and Sharpe James (D., Essex) were indicted on charges they used their elected offices to line their pockets. Assemblymen Alfred Steele (D., Passaic) and Mims Hackett (D., Essex) were arrested on bribery charges. Sen. Martha Bark...