Senator Nick Scutari said he would never forget the support of the New Democrats, first under the leadership of the late Mayor Al McWilliams and later Mayor Adrian Mapp, who backs Scutari in the three-person race to succeed former Union County Democratic Committee Chairman Jerry Green.

Sean McKenna, a member of the local Democratic Committee, slapped at Scutari at one point, noting

that he didn’t recognize him.

“Maybe you don’t see me but I’m over at the Park Madison Building constantly, with Chairman Green,” the senator said.  “I ensured the workers compensation court was moved into that building, so we didn’t have openings in that building. It was a real opportunity and we got it done. That was a priority of mine to make sure that was a thriving building.”

He emphasized his commitment to the one seat ride.

“You’ve got my commitment to continue to work with that,” Scutari said.

He emphasized that he never sought the county chairmanship, but is running because Green asked him to take up the mantle of leadership.

“Jerry Green is going to finish his term,” he noted, referring to Green’s Legislative seat.

McKenna later asked Scutari, “When is it too much power,” referring to the senator’s simultaneous positions as senator, local Linden Dems chair and – should he be successful – Union Democratic chair.

Scutari said he’s not married, has no kids, and focuses full time on politics. But should the three positions become too burdensome, he left open the possibility of relinquishing the Linden chairmanship of the party.