Freeholder Eyes Another Senate Run in 2013

John Driscoll, still fresh off for the seat of Sen. Robert Gordon (D-Fair Lawn), has his sights set on another run in 2013.

He's been thinking about another run since Election Day.

That's why he's stepping down as a Bergen County Freeholder after this year, and taking all of 2013 to focus on running.

Driscoll said the newly reconfigured legislative districts threw many candidates for a loop. District 38 traded Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Fort Lee, Little Ferry, Ridgefield, South Hackensack and Teterboro for Bergenfield, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, River Edge and Rochelle Park.

Driscoll's hometown of Paramus, where he was a councilman, Fair Lawn, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi and Saddle Brook were the only towns to stay in the 38th District after the redistricting shuffle.

The Freeholder, who stepped down as chairman of the board this year, also feels he will be better prepared for attacks next time around, though he pledged to run an honorable campaign.

"I will never go that far but I ain't gonna get fooled again," Driscoll said.

For now, Driscoll plans to devote his energy to his last year on the Freeholder Board. The county budget will remain a high priority, he said.

Driscoll hopes to craft a spending plan that doesn't cut services.

"I hear many people saying, 'We got a zero increase, we got a reduction,'" he said. "That's great, but what did it take to get to that?"

Driscoll also plans to focus on securing flood relief for county residents.

"I'm going to start looking more at FEMA money to see what we can get for our people," he said.