HUDSON COUNTY — Trying to avert a full-scale Democratic civil war, quiet talks behind the scenes may see Bayonne Mark Smith elected as the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization in June.
Reports have suggested that state Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack was seeking the chairmanship and that this move was being resisted by HCDO members who came up with counterproposals that included former state Sen. Bernard Kenny and County Executive Tom DeGise.
“What I can say is this,” said a source extremely close to Smith. “There have been a series of ongoing meetings between the various mayors and other key elected officials on this and other subjects. Mayors Smith, Sacco and Stack enjoy a cordial, cooperative relationship. Likewise, Mayor Smith has a good relationship with Mayor Healy. The chairmanship is not expected to be vacated until after the June primary. Mayor Smith has been focused on finalizing the city budget, scouring the school budget for savings and moving the redevelopment process forward at the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor.”