James Geron knows fully well the obstacles that Republican candidates face while seeking elections in predominantly Democratic Hudson County.
“I think it’s a challenge for a Republican to run for any office here,” Geron said last week.
In that election, Geron, an English as a Second Language teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, will oppose Jersey City’s Nancy Gaynor for the Republican nomination next month so that he can face incumbent Bernard Kenny in the general election in November.
With that in mind, Geron is taking on a dual challenge, announcing that he will be the Republican candidate for mayor in Guttenberg in November, running unopposed in next month’s mayoral primary – while also running for the Republican nomination for the 33rd District in the New Jersey State Senate.
The 33rd State Senatorial district includes Hoboken, parts of Jersey City (Downtown and the Heights), along with Union City, Weehawken, West New York and Guttenberg.
Is it difficult, as a political newcomer, to seek two seats at the same time?
“It’s nothing new,” Geron said. “It’s been done before. Nick Sacco is the mayor of North Bergen and a state senator. Albio Sires is the mayor of West New York and a state assemblyman. It’s not going to be an easy battle, but it can happen.”
Geron said that he is currently focusing on the senatorial campaign, knowing that he will appear on the November ballot for mayor in Guttenberg regardless of what happens next month.
“The main thing with the mayoral election is that I want to be able to give the people of Guttenberg a choice,” Geron said. “I’ll respect the issues and run a positive campaign, but I just wanted people to know that the election in Guttenberg won’t be over in June this year. It will be decided in November.”
Added Geron, “I’m currently concentrating on the Senate race and focusing on positive issues. I plan on running a very positive campaign.”
James Geron was actually born Vincenzo diGeronimo in New York, but the family shortened the surname when they moved to New Jersey when James was just three years old.
“My parents didn’t like the way Italians were being stereotyped in the entertainment industry,” Geron said. “So they dropped the ‘di’ and the ‘imo’ and kept the Geron. It became Americanized, but I always felt like I was cheated out of my heritage.”
Geron is a graduate of St. Peter’s College and has a Master’s degree in education from New Jersey City University. He has been a teacher in the Paterson school system for the last 10 years and it was his association with the youth of Paterson which made him want to seek public office.
“I’ve had the chance to witness several social issues as a teacher and I feel like I’ve been able to make a difference with some of the kids,” Geron said. “If I can make a difference with the kids, then I like to think that I can make a difference in state legislature as well. I’d like to have that chance. I would consider it an honor to be given the chance to make things better.”
Geron said that he will run for the senate under former Representative Bob Franks’ banner. Gaynor, a long-time supporter of Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, will appear on Schundler’s ticket for the primary, which will be held June 26.
Geron said that he has several issues that he would like to address in the campaign, regarding quality of life, education and motor vehicle safety.
“I’d like to see more of an emphasis being placed on schooling,” Geron said. “Current New Jersey law allows children to drop out of school at the age of 16. It should be raised to a mandatory age of 18 and offer alternative programs to keep children in school and off the streets.”
Geron also supports mandatory eye examinations with every motor vehicle license renewal.
“The streets will become safer if drivers are wearing proper prescription corrective eyewear,” Geron said. “Some people may not have proper prescriptions and mandatory eye exams may force people to care for their eyes. You should get your eyes checked on your own, but this way, it’s mandatory.”
Geron also has a problem with NJ Transit’s bus stops.
“Some of the street corners are not large enough to handle the tandem buses,” Geron said. “If we decrease the number of bus stops and make them adequate in length, then we should eliminate a lot of the current problem that are eating up valuable space.”
Geron assured that he will not resort to any political chicanery in his campaign.
“I don’t agree with that method,” Geron said. “I think if you have an issue, you should bring it out and discuss it. I don’t like the character assassinations that go on in politics. It’s a horrible thing.”
Geron said that he’s ready to make the move into the public sector.
“I have a lot of people helping me out and they’re telling me that people are ready for a change,” Geron said. “It’s going to be a grass roots effort, hitting the streets, discussing the needs and concerns of the voters.”
Geron said that he has already begun campaigning, meeting the people.
“They have some serious concerns and I’m developing a game plan from listening to them,” Geron said. “We’re getting the word out and I’m encouraged.”
Even if he’s a Republican fighting an uphill battle. Better yet, make that two battles.