HUDSON COUNTY — Hudson County Prosecutor Ed DeFazio, 59, was nominated last week for a seat as a state Superior Court judge by Gov. Christopher Christie, who apparently wants to replace DeFazio — a Democrat — with a Republican prosecutor in Hudson County.
DeFazio previously served as a Superior Court judge in 2001 prior to his taking over as prosecutor. His second five-year term will end next month.
“A little premature; there hasn’t been a formal nomination,” DeFazio said, when asked for a comment on Tuesday.
The nomination would then have to be approved by the state Senate Judiciary Committee – on which State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack is a member. Stack has close ties to Christie. If approved, then the full state Senate would have to vote on the appointment.
“I’m here and I love this office,” DeFazio said, speaking about his role as prosecutor.
The timing, however, is short and a formal nomination and vote might not transpire before the legislature suspends activity for the summer.
The Senate Judiciary Committee would also have to approve the next prosecutor for Hudson County.
“If it doesn’t happen next week, it won’t happen until the fall,” DeFazio said.
The last Republican Prosecutor was Fred Theemling, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Christie Whitman in 1996.