Destination Bergen: Sweeney Swims in Northern Waters

Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) on Lake Hopatcong.

The South is moving.

They want Hudson in their corner and now they also want Bergen.

A week after the power players from South Jersey interfaced with the poohbahs of Hudson, they’re on their way to neighboring Bergen County and a meeting with County Chairman Paul Juliano.

Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-6) are said to be angling their SUVs in the direction of Juliano’s Fairview for a Wednesday evening session.

Sources say the talks likely have to do with 2025 and getting Sweeney to the Governor’s Mansion post Phil Murphy. He serves two more years as senate prez in exchange for northern support toward a statewide run, or some variation on that theme.

Just speculation.

What’s not in question is the meeting Sweeney and Greenwald have secured with Juliano.

They’re moving.

“The south likes to get out in front of everyone,” a source ho-hummed to InsiderNJ.

Now they’re competing with a more energized Middlesex and Essex, who appear joined at the hip and also routinely in Juliano’s ear.

Sweeney didn’t bother showing up at the swearing-in ceremony of new Democratic State Chairman LeoRoy Jones earlier this month, while Middlesex Democratic Chairman in full-blown power broker pomp and circumstance mode.

Of course, Juliano also has a close political relationship with state Senator Nick Sacco (D-32).

Sacco is said to have not attended last week’s meeting in Hudson but is in touch with the South with newfound zest.

A Bergen source wouldn’t confirm the actual meeting for Wednesday but acknowledged that Sweeney and Juliano “are talking.”

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