The resignation of Anthony Chiappone from the state Assembly on July 16 has started the clock ticking to name a possible replacement. In June, Chiappone pleaded guilty to misdirecting an aide’s funds to his campaign account in 2005.

Although Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith – who also serves as the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization – appears to be leaning toward naming Jason O’Donnell, chairman of the Bayonne Democratic Committee, Jersey City Democrats are talking about four names that include Jersey City Democratic Chairman Joe Conte, Attorney John Collins, longtime educator Fran Lyons-McCarthy, and Democratic Committeewoman Lori Hennessey. Conte appears to be the lead choice for Jersey City. James Dugan, the head of a civic organization in Bayonne, is also considered a contender for the seat.

The 31st District is composed of a large portion of southern Jersey City and all of Bayonne, with Jersey City Democrats having two thirds of the committee votes.

Under state law, the Democratic committee members in the 31st District have up to 30 days to name a replacement. That person will fill the seat until a special election in November can determine who will sit in the seat until Chiappone’s term expires in January 2011.

While Mayor Smith will have a lot to say about who will replace Chiappone, behind the scenes, potential candidates are lining up for what may well become a committee battle.

Bayonne has a total 102 committee votes, but O’Donnell cannot rely on getting the full Bayonne vote out, despite his advantage as Bayonne Democratic chairman. Former Bayonne Councilman Gary LaPelusa and his wife, Cherie – against whom O’Donnell campaigned in the last municipal election – will likely vote against him, as well Pat Desmond, another committeeperson.

Seven Bayonne committee seats are currently vacant. But worse for O’Donnell is the fact that the committee vote will come in the mid-to-late summer, peak time for vacations – which means some committee people may be away or forced to work additional hours, making them unavailable to vote.

Although Jersey City’s votes are generally pledged to a variety of politicians, Conte as Jersey City chairman could bring them together in a united front – especially because State Sen. Sandra Cunningham may throw her support in favor of Dugan over O’Donnell, and might be willing to bargain for a compromise candidate from Jersey City.

Which candidate Bayonne backs will be a huge test for Mayor Smith. While O’Donnell was instrumental in helping Smith win reelection in May, Dugan’s father, James Dugan Sr. (former chairman of the state Democratic Party) has been a huge contributor to Smith’s campaigns and both Dugans were instrumental in getting Smith to run for mayor in 2008.

For Smith, this appointment will show just who has the most influence over him in Bayonne and how much influence he has beyond the borders of the city to get his choice seated.

Of course, it is possible – although unlikely – that Smith might appoint former state Sen. Joseph Doriato the post.

Has Hoboken become a graphic novel?

How can anybody take Hoboken politics seriously these days when some of the key behind-the-scenes players are hiding behind on-line monikers such as “Hudson Shark,” “Hoboken Horse,” and “Grafix Avenger”? These are adults who are taunting each other on blogs and acting out revenge fantasies which in some cases come close to libel.

At least one of these characters actually has a real position in city government, putting Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a position of ridicule outside of Hoboken, where serious politicians are wondering how she can allow people she appointed to misbehave.

The “Grafix Avenger” appears to be on a quest to learn the true identity of “Hudson Shark,” who has been taunting the Zimmer administration for years. Some believe the mythical “Shark” is actually more than one person, but “Grafix Avenger” has posted personal information on the blogs about one suspect along with vicious personal attacks on other public and non-public officials whom the Avenger perceives as enemies of Zimmer.

But Hoboken is not a graphic novel, and with Avenger clearly supporting Zimmer and the candidacy of incumbent Councilman Michael Lenz, these attacks may do more harm to the cause than good.

Republican candidate against Rothman

Last week, this column mistakenly said a Republican candidate in the congressional primary for the 9th District lost his bid, when in truth, John Acosta lost marginally in Hudson County, but won the race, including the rest of the district. That other part consists of much of Bergen County and one town in Passaic county.

The district includes all of Secaucus and Kearny as well as the western slope of Jersey City, and will see Acosta facing off against Incumbent Democrat Rep. Steve Rothman.

While Bergen County has a significant Republican population, the portion Acosta is running in is more evenly divided, and Acosta said he is going to have to run a door-to-door campaign to beat Rothman.

“I have to talk to everyone, go to every possible event, show up where ever people gather, and do a lot of door to door campaigning,” he said. “But getting out the vote is the same whether you are running for council or for president.”

Gearing up for special election in Jersey City

In Jersey City, local photographer and county Welfare department worker Richard McCormack has picked up petition forms for a possible run in the November special election to fill the Ward B council seat vacated by the conviction of Phil Kenny on corruption charges. Kenny pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in an FBI sting operation last year.

Earlier this year, David Donnelly was named to fill that seat until the November election.

Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.