Incumbent Hudson County Sheriff Juan Perez, whom the local Democratic party to back in running again for his own office in this June’s Democratic primary, though he might be able to avoid facing their chosen candidate by running as a Republican instead. But now, he faces opposition in the Republican primary, too.
Former sheriff’s officer Christian Araujo recently launched his challenge against Perez in the June Republican primary.
Araujo last ran for public office in a race for the Jersey City Ward C City Council seat in 2009 on a ticket led by Democrat L. Harvey Smith. He is now a Secaucus resident.
While Perez has the official support of the county Republicans, Araujo said he wants to be an independent voice.
“I want the public to know that there is another choice.” – Christian Araujo
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Although disabled as a sheriff’s officer, Araujo works as a licensed electrician, a job he said he would give up if elected sheriff.
On June 8, he will face Perez, who switched from Democrat to Republican after the Hudson County Democratic Organization decided to back Undersheriff Frank Schillari in the Democratic Primary instead.
Background
Recently, Arajo said that before he became disabled, he had worked in several aspects of the sheriff’s department, giving him insight into its operations – such as court house duty, where officers provide security for judges and their staff.
“I did that for about a year and half,” he said. “Then I became a detective, where I worked on criminal warrants for the Superior Court. This is a lot like what a U.S. marshall does, but on a county level. We chase down deadbeat dads, murderers, molesters, drug dealers, or anybody convicted of a serious crime.”
As a lieutenant, Araujo had reached the second highest rank of non-appointed officers in the sheriff’s department.
“Captain is the highest,” he said “The other positions are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the sheriff.”
Araujo said that although he is running as an independent Republican, he shares some issues with both parties. But since he had to choose a party, he chose to run against Perez in the primary as a Republican.
“I feel I can still serve the community in an elected position,” he said. “I have law enforcement experience and civilian insights, and that’s what it takes to be a sheriff. I know what the average person wants is to be able to walk to the corner store without getting mugged.”
He said when people get elected, they often forget what they are supposed to do.
“In Hudson County, we get a lot of people on probation and career criminals,” he said. “The sheriff should keep track to keep them from committing another crime. That’s what I’ll strive for. If someone has been arrested, we will keep an eye on them, and if they violate probation, we’ll go get them.”
He said he believes in “the broken window theory,” something that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani supported, in arresting people for small crimes before they get to commit more serious crimes.
“Giuliani is one of the people I admire,” Araujo said. “He cleaned up New York City.”
Why now?
Araujo said that Perez, who was just elected four years ago, is out of touch.
“I feel I can do a better job,” he said. “I want the public to know that there is another choice. I am not a career politician. I am someone who wants to help fight crime in Hudson County.”
But how does he feel about possibly facing Democrat Schillari in November, then?
He said he’ll battle one battle at a time, and worry about the November race in November.
Some evidence suggests that Araujo was supported by Democratic leaders in order to hurt Perez’s candidacy.