At a press conference called for Monday, April 6, at 12:30 p.m., state Assemblyman and Councilman Anthony Chiappone is expected to announce that he will step down as city councilman in Bayonne in order to get the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization for his reelection to the state Assembly in June.
Chiappone is expected to appear with Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy for the announcement.
In last March, Smith said he would support Chiappone’s assembly efforts if Chiappone stepped down at councilman.
Sources close to Chiappone said the resignation would be in the interest of preserving party unity, maintaining a peaceful relationship between state Sen. Sandra Cunningham – a Chiappone ally – and Healy, who serves as the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.