From the ramparts of retirement, former Senator Ray Lesniak (D-20) gave a leonine nod to the senator he nursed up the ladder from the days state Senator Nick Scutari (D-22) emerged on the scene as a tousle-headed countywide cub out of Linden.

“He’s now a legitimate party star,” Lesniak said of Scutari, who stepped into the control room left behind by the retired senator from Elizabeth. “I think he’s a future contender and will always be in the mix for the senate presidency if it opens up. [Steve] Sweeney’s there as long as he wants, but Nick’s right there. He can be there.”

Lesniak said Scutari won the race finally by getting eyeball to eyeball with Democratic Committee People.

Elizabeth, Linden, Roselle, Rahway and Plainfield all turned out for Scutari, said Lesniak.

“This is a guy who went door to door to visit committee people,” said the senator. “He went to Clark, Berkeley Heights, Summit. It was just a phenomenal commitment that he brought to this race, and that’s why he won.”