This coming Tuesday, June 5, will mark the finale to the democratic primary war between the candidates of the longstanding Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) and the newly formed Democrats for Hudson County (DFHC), which has been going on for weeks.
The closely watched 33rd District race will also mark the end of aggressive door to door campaigns, and negative ads and accusations between the candidates vying for two Assembly seats, one seat for 6th District county freeholder, and the state Senate seat, which brought candidates Silverio “Sal” Vega of West New York and Brian P. Stack of Union City into the spotlight.
Both men, who are currently assemblymen in the 33rd District, and mayors of their respective towns, have spent the last several weeks communicating their stance on the issues, as well as tackling questions of responsibility, character, and ethics.
However, this Tuesday the decision will rest in the hands of the voters, who will finally choose their representatives in 33rd District, which encompasses the municipalities of Guttenberg, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, and part of Jersey City.
For more details on the candidates, please visit: www.unioncityreporter.com or www.westnewyork.com.
Teamwork
The Senate candidates have been supporting a slate of running mates for the two available Assembly seats in the district, and candidates for the seat in the 6th District Hudson County Board of Freeholders.
Assembly candidates Nicole Harrison Garcia and Carol Marsh are running with Vega and the HCDO, and candidates Caridad Rodriguez and Ruben Ramos, Jr. are running with Stack and the DFHC.
In addition, HCDO candidate Alberto Cabrera of Weehawken and DFHC candidate Jose Munoz of West New York are running for county freeholder.
Both respective democratic slates have been working as a team and appearing together at several events from campaign events to press conferences, and have pushed not only their individual runs but their entire tickets.
Final days
Over the last few weeks, Vega has taken his mobile headquarters the “Freedom Wagon” all over the 33rd District on the campaign trail, and visiting many locations such as senior citizen centers and many other public housing buildings to thank the local residents for everything they have done for him so far, and to once again ask for their support at the polls.
“Where I go – the Freedom Wagon goes, and we’ve been all over the district,” said Vega. “It has been highly publicized by many media sources.”
Vega is also pleased that he has been well received throughout the six municipalities of the 33rd District. “I’m known by many people because I served as a freeholder and have been to these towns on many occasions before,” said Vega. “Throughout the district I am very well received and I am very grateful for that.
For the final days before the election, Vega will be back in West New York.
“Now I’m back home,” he said. “I’m going to be here in West New York. I always know that at the end you have to come home to your base.”
Meanwhile in Stack’s home base of Union City, the town is covered in signs in support of his election and the entire Column B for the DFHC.
Stack’s camp has been doing their own continuous door to door campaigning throughout the districts with hundreds of volunteers coming out in support of Stack, and informing constituents of the issues.
“[Over the next few days] we will just be continuously campaigning in all of the six municipalities from walking [the streets] to knocking on doors,” said Stack. “Basically having a presence in each municipality, as we have been doing, right up to election night.”
“I have been very fortunate and grateful to have hundreds of volunteers come out in support. It’s just been a tremendous effort,” said Stack. “It’s been a long campaign since starting in January.”
As far as election day, both candidates are eagerly awaiting the voter’s decision, and are equally confident in their chances.
“I think it’s great,” said Vega. “What started out as a one-sided race is now in a dead heat. It’s coming down to the wire, and [the final decision] is going to end up right here in my hometown.”
“I’m very excited and I can’t wait for Tuesday,” he added.
“I feel good, never cocky, but I feel confident,” said Stack. “The response has been excellent.”
“I truly believe that come election night the negative campaigning will backfire on my opponent,” added Stack, who feels that Vega never touched upon the issues that are critical to the district. “We will be working up until 8 p.m. on election night.”
Election Day
On Election Day, Tuesday, June 5, the polls will be open throughout the district from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registered voters should have received mailed notices notifying them of their respective voting wards. If not, please call your local City Clerk.
As far as the candidates, Vega will be found mostly by Public School No. 2 (Ward 1 District 2), and will cast his own vote with his daughter at the May Fair Theatre later that day.
Stack will probably be casting his ballot in the morning in his voting ward at the store front of 610 New York Ave., and will be moving throughout the district during the day.
Afterwards, the Vega camp will wait for the results at Las Palmas Restaurant in West New York, while the Stack camp will wait for the results at Club Fomento in Union City.
“We will be at Club Fomento and all residents are welcome to come,” said Stack.
“We’re inviting all our friends throughout the district to come and join us,” said Vega. “It will be a district wide celebration.” Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com