Champagne went flying at Union City’s Club Fomento and bathed hundreds of cheering supporters on Tuesday night after Mayor Brian Stack and company entered the room to the chorus of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
Stack won the Democratic nomination for the 33rd District state Senate seat against West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega.
Stack won by a clear majority with over 77 percent of the votes to Vega’s 23 percent.
Fellow running mates Ruben Ramos Jr. of Hoboken and Caridad Rodriguez of West New York also won the nomination for the two available Assembly seats.
In addition, Jose Munoz of West New York beat Alberto Cabrera of Weehawken for the 7th District County Freeholder seat. According to Mayor Richard Turner, Munoz won 85% of the vote in Weehawken.
All of the winners in the 33rd District were backed by the newly established Democrats for Hudson County (DFHC), and will be vying against the Independent candidates in the upcoming November general election. However, no one else has filed as of yet.
Their opponents were candidates within the longstanding Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), which did manage to hold onto to legislative seats in 32nd District, as well as in the county with the successful re-election of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, and the election of new County Sheriff Juan M. Perez and County Clerk Barbara Netchert.
‘We won!’
More than 500 people packed Club Fomento on 38th Street, awaiting the triumphant arrival of their 33rd District candidates.
Many of Stack’s supporters carried dozens of signs of the newly nominated Senator, and chanted ‘Brian, Brian, Brian!’ as he made his way through the shower of champagne to the front of the podium.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Stack. “This victory that we enjoy tonight is the people’s victory of Hudson County.”
Stack thanked all of his supporters from his fellow politicos in attendance, such as Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange, and Hoboken Councilmen Chris Campos and Michael Russo.
“This overwhelming victory is a testament to everyone in this room and in the 33rd District,” said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. “This has been probably and undeniably one of the dirtiest campaigns in the history of the state of New Jersey. [Stack] handled himself with the utmost [class], which is why we won 90 percent in Weehawken.”
Stack also gave thanks to his volunteers in the community, who worked the phones and knocked on doors.
According to the Hudson County Board of Elections, as of June 6, the overall vote count for the district had Vega at 5,582 to Stack’s 18,213. In the assembly race, Ramos with 16,576 and Rodriguez with 15,941 trumped Nicole Harrison Garcia with 5,717 and Carol Marsh with 5,967 votes. Munoz also had a count of 4,097 to Alberto Cabrera’s 2,783 in the 7th District freeholder race.
“Tonight I hope the [HCDO] is getting a clear message,” said Stack at his victory celebration.
According to figures Stack gave out, the 33rd DFHC ticket swept the district including 60 percent of the vote in Guttenberg, 90 percent in Weehawken, and 55 percent in his opponent’s home base of West New York.
Vega: ‘I still have the best job in the world’
“I understand the results of the election and the voters have spoken,” said Vega. “Obviously, this was a one-sided election throughout the entire district.”
Despite the defeat, Vega is looking toward the next six months in the Assembly. He also plans to focus on his number one priority, which is serving the people of West New York as mayor.
“It’s something that after a long, three month process you have to live with,” said Vega. “I know that I have six months of very meaningful work ahead [as an assemblyman.] Many changes are going to be taking place. We’re going to be starting the budget process soon.”
Vega’s term as Assemblyman ends in January.
“I’m not thinking beyond the end of my term, and I already have the best job in the world, which is being mayor of West New York,” said Vega.
The road ahead
Hoping to work alongside Stack in the 33rd District, if successful in November, are Ramos, who was at the victory event, and Rodriguez, who was in West New York and unable to attend.
“I am proud and honored to be part of the Stack team,” said Ramos. “I promise I will work just as hard. Well, Brian’s a nut. I do promise to sleep a little. Thank you so much for believing in me.”
At an event earlier that evening in Hoboken, Ramos said that he will first work on creating more affordable housing for families, open space for urban settings, infrastructure improvements, and lowering health insurance cost.
“I am proud of the fact that I will represent the 33rd District in the state Senate, [represent] the entire community, especially the wonderful Hispanic community,” said Stack, who was interrupted by continuous resounding cheer. “Mi corazon es Hispano (My heart is Hispanic)!”
Stack promised to always be accessible to the constituents. He plans to open up offices throughout the district including a larger office in West New York.
Stack and his volunteers have been on the campaign trail since January after his official announcement.
“I will never take this support and this victory for granted,” said Stack. “It’s your victory, and as all of you know, this victory will not allow me to sit back and relax. I will work even harder now.”
He added, “We must always work hard for the people and I pledge to lead that effort. Ganamos (We won)!” Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com