A letter circulated in the last number of hours, requesting Democratic caucus members in the assembly to affix their names in support of Assemblyman Craig Couhglin (D-19) to succeed Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32). Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-28) did not sign the letter, nor does he approve of the method or timing, describing the process itself as disrespectful. If Coughlin has the support, he should tell Prieto quietly, “but not go public with it. That’s ruthless.”

“I’m pleased with Vinny,” added the Essex lawmaker. “He stood up for our caucus. At this this point my support is  absolutely with Vinny unless he decides not to go again. The north made a decision to stick together, and I hope the north honors that commitment.

“It’s trust more than confidence,” Caputo said of the sitting speaker. “He stood up for our house on many occasions. We don’t want a rubber stamp speaker. I find him to be an honorable guy.”

Caputo noted the timing of the letter’s circulation – two weeks before the primary, and pointed out that people need to get reelected before signing away their support on a matter that should be decided after the general election contest. He also questioned re-empowering South Jersey.

“Why cant he wait till after the primary and general to make his bid for support?” Caputo said of Coughlin. “I don’t know that having two people from the south is beneficial to the whole state. You need geographic and political balance. I just think it’s very foolish to sign a letter at this point. I understand why this is being done. They want to wrap it up. I’ve been around for a long time. This is the way they do it. I would like to hear from our gubernatorial candidate [Phil Murphy] but he has to get through his own elections. We need to give this time; a cooling off period. It’s wrong for a party to be fighting itself like this.”