Having lost his 2002 bid for county executive in one of the most storied contests in recent Essex County political history, Tom Giblin of Montclair went after an assembly seat in 2005 and secured it with the backing of a Democratic Party alliance that included his conqueror, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo.

A labor leader with deep party roots in west Newark, Giblin joined a team that included Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-34), who had won her seat for the first time just two years prior.

InsiderNJ talked to Giblin today about Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s decision to tap Oliver as his running mate.

“She brings a lot to the ticket, including a wealth of experience,” Giblin said of his LD34 running mate and former speaker of the General Assembly. “She has great support among women’s groups and civil rights  groups and certainly among black women. She has a depth of experience in government and as a nonprofit head. She is very well versed in all aspects of government.”

Who would be a good replacement for Oliver on the LD34 ticket, InsiderNJ asked the veteran assemblyman.

“Chairman [Leroy] Jones has a good farm team,” Giblin said. “Freeholder President [Britnee] Timberlake has a good background, and has proven to be loyal soldier.  The loss of an East Orange person suggests an East Orange replacement. I don’t know how Passaic County weighs in on this, but [Clifton Councilwoman Laura] Murphy is also possible.”

If Jones chooses Timberlake, the freeholder vacancy would create the possibility for Vice Chairman Brendan Gill (chief political strategist of the Murphy for Governor Campaign) to move up to the freeholder presidency.