Following the release of support for Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19) as speaker by Assembly Democrats in Essex County, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Secaucus) released a never-say-die statement.

“I remain committed to running and winning another term as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and I am certain that I have the support of a majority of the members of the Essex County Assembly delegation, today’s announcement notwithstanding,” Prieto said. “As Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, I always take great caution in making political statements to ensure that my constituency is uniformly behind our position. That is not the case in Essex County as it relates to the upcoming vote for Speaker.”