Former Montclair mayor Bob Russo is very aware that the Democratic primaries for Essex County Freeholder (along with other County and NJ State Legislative offices) are on June 7 — only 5 months away. He’s thinking of running for the seat and he wants your support, if in fact he does.

While not holding public office at the moment, Russo’s long history of political involvement goes way back. In fact, he shared the date of his first electoral victory with John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1960. Last November 8 marked 50 years since both men were elected into public office, and Russo celebrated with an open house fête at Tierneys.

Russo had a good showing the last time he ran for 5th District Freeholder in the 2008 primary, but ultimately lost to Ralph Caputo, the present incumbent. Russo received 48% of the votes to Caputo’s winning 52%. The seat represents a good geographical chunk of north Baristaville, including Montclair, Glen Ridge, Nutley, Bloomfield and Belleville, and winning the primary is often tantamount to election victory in the Democratic strong-hold.

This time around, however, it’s possible that Russo will run without competing against Caputo, who also holds the office of 28th district Assemblyman (Belleville, Bloomfield Township, Irvington Township, Newark). According to Russo, the incumbent has already stated that he will seek only one of the two offices he now holds, thereby removing the dual office-holding issue which was at the heart of Russo’s last campaign.

While Russo is taking a “wait and see” approach before officially declaring his candidacy — depending upon which of the two offices Caputo decides to seek — if the freeholder seat opens up, Russo intends to run. In anticipation, he’s laying the groundwork, circulating petitions and generally spreading the word. Here’s an excerpt of an email the might-be candidate sent to his supporters this week:

I have made the preliminary decision to prepare for a possible run. I have met with the Essex County Democratic Chairman, County Executive, County Clerk and my own town chairman in Montclair, as well as spoken with the town chairs in Bloomfield, Nutley and Glen Ridge. I am following a strict protocol of consulting with these leaders of the Democratic Party and informing them of my interest in serving the residents of Essex County in this Freeholder position. I have taken out petitiions for this office and obtained the first signature of my 92 year old mother. She was there when I first ran for this same office in 1978, missing election by a mere 36 votes out of 47,000 cast.

Will Russo finally see his 30 year quest to hold this public office realized? Are you amongst his supporters? Let’s hear what you think about Russo for North Baristaville Freeholder, 2011.

Learn more about the candidate on his web site.

Related Posts:

• Report Reveals High Poverty Stats in N.J.
• Undersheriff and Montclair Resident Gets Police Award
• Russo Has Reservations About Mountainside Transfer