Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss and the Irvington Democratic Party tonight formally endorsed Council President Renee Burgess for the LD28 senate seat.

The letter of endorsement signed by Vauss, the council (minus Burgess herself) and other members of the local Democratic Party organization is printed below.

The endorsements represent a key piece of support for Burgess, who is vying to succeed former state Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-28), who retired at the end of last month.

At a meeting last week, Essex Democrats in LD28 received the name of Irvington Council President Burgess as the choice by the bulk of the committee to assume the LD28 seat of Senator Rice.

A special convention is set for Sept. 9th at Bloomfield College.

About 60% of the committee backs Burgess.

Sources today said party members this week tried to convince Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-28) to stand down rather than challenge Burgess at the convention.

Irvington is the beginning.

Look for the cascade of more establishment endorsements in the coming hours and days.

For his part, Senator Rice is said to back Tucker for the seat on a ticket that would include his longtime friend and ally Lionel Leach. But the Irvington Democratic Committee backs Burgess (see below).