While most people may not be openly talking about a new political order for Hudson County – except for state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack – forces behind the scenes seem to be coming together that could reshape the next decade.
State Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco seems to be preparing for the 2011 redistricting that will likely see dramatic changes in the borders of election districts. Sacco has been quietly making moves throughout the county and beyond to assure that he has a solid voting base to guarantee reelection.
While the body that will redistrict is supposedly made up of members of both political parties, Gov. Christopher Christie gets to pick the deciding vote, which means that Democratic strongholds will be closely examined, and the redistricting will likely be done in a way to reduce the Democratic strengths.
This comes at time when corruption arrests and Democratic infighting have weakened the Democratic party in Hudson County, and may be the foundation of a revamping of the party here.
One of the key players in this will be Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who may be organizing a new party that will replace what some see as the outdated Hudson County Democratic Organization (which Stack recently called irrelevant.)
The foundation of this new organization will likely include Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop, Stack, state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, and Hoboken Councilwoman Beth Mason.
Cunningham brings a strong connection to the new Republican governor that the HCDO lacks. Stack’s early support of incoming state Sen. President Steve Sweeney helps him too.
But the HCDO isn’t dead yet, and it may be making counter moves that include a possible 2011 Democratic Primary challenge against Cunningham.
Mary Spinello recently moved to Bayonne and has set up an election account with the aim of running against Cunningham – fulfilling a promise made by County Executive Tom DeGise to get even with Cunningham for denying him a seat on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
But DeGise could be opening a serious political can of worms. Although several mayors claim DeGise is lobbying for support for another term, Stack may not need to unseat DeGise, especially because Union City Freeholder Tilo Rivas is expected to be named chairman of the freeholders, and any move by DeGise to unseat Cunningham would likely push Freeholder Jeff Dublin into the Stack camp. This would give Stack, Rivas, Frank Romano, Jose Munoz, and Dublin votes and put Freeholder Bill O’Dea in the untenable position of having the swing vote on the freeholder board.
WNY recall may be in trouble
Some of the bad feelings inspired by the Democratic civil war of three years ago may finally have been healed as behind-the-scenes brokering appears to have generated a handshake agreement between Stack and West New York Mayor Sal Vega.
This bodes badly for those seeking to recall Vega in that town, since Stack appears to have been a necessary ingredient in making the recall work.
Dr. Felix Roque submitted just over 6,000 signatures to the town clerk’s office just prior to the deadline in favor of a recall. He is seeking to unseat Commissioner Michelle Fernandez-Lopez, Commissioner Gerald Lange, Commissioner Lawrence Riccardi, and Commissioner Alberto Rodriguez.
But since there is such a small margin of error – slightly less than 800 votes – to qualify for the recall, you can bet Vega will challenge many of the signatures. But even if the election were to move ahead, can Roque win without Stack’s support?
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and Rep. Albio Sires – who reportedly supported the recall behind the scenes – may face a political backlash as a result, as the HCDO rallies behind Vega and may seek to find a candidate to replace Sires in the House of Representatives next June.
Christie backs off Marra as AG
The previously reported appointment of U.S. Attorney Ralph Marra as next attorney general of New Jersey clearly didn’t happen, as Christie nominated Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow instead. As with Marra, Dow has worked with Christie at the U.S. Attorney’s office until taking up the Essex County job in 2003. Meanwhile, prominent federal prosecutor Paul J. Fishman replaces Marra as U.S. Attorney. Christie had considered Marra for attorney general, but apparently decided against it. Marra came under fire after last summer’s corruption arrests that seemed politically timed to benefit Christie’s gubernatorial campaign against incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. But it is clear that this isn’t the last the state will hear of Marra since Christie will have to reward him somehow.
Did Corea lobby for Bayonne Parking Authority job?
Charges filed against former Hoboken Parking Utility head John Corea for conspiring with a Toms River contractor to allegedly steal Hoboken parking meter money have raised questions as to whether or not Corea was seeking a similar job in Bayonne.
Last year, Corea donated to the mayoral campaign of Mark Smith. Smith later raised questions that led to the firing Peter Cresci, the attorney for the Bayonne Parking Authority, who also performed some duties of the executive director.
Several anti-administration people believe Corea may have been seeking a job with the BPA.
Steffens steps out – for now
Acting Secaucus Mayor Richard Steffens will be making way for the Jan. 1 swearing in of Michael Gonnelli as the new mayor on Jan. 1. Many are wondering if Steffens will run for City Council next November now that he has had a taste of municipal government again?