While all six Hoboken council seats are in play in May’s ward elections, 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo has the best chance of keeping his seat, although he will likely have to work hard if Angel Alicea – the most likely candidate against him – runs.
Fifth Ward Councilman Peter Cunningham may have the second-safest seat with no clear opponent yet declared against him.
Incumbent 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason is expected to be challenged by Tom Graney, a formidable opponent, someone who is seen as a nice guy in the rough and tumble political world. Many people claim Mason’s political future is nil, but she has always managed to revive her career.
Theresa Castellano, incumbent councilwoman in the 1st Ward, may be less vulnerable than many perceive, even though rumored to run against her is Eric Kurta, a Zimmer activist and campaign financing watchdog who could mount a serious challenge.
People have attempted to attack Castellano in the past by tying her to Russo, but since some of the same people who support Zimmer have worked with both Russo and Castellano over the years, it will be difficult to make such an argument stick. Zimmer has people who supported Castellano and Russo in the past.
The 6th Ward is one of the races to watch closely, since incumbent Angelo “Nino” Giacchi may have to face off against a very strong challenger, Joseph Branco, who, with support from Mayor Dawn Zimmer, could actually win.
The 4th Ward, in which Tim Occhipinti beat incumbent Michael Lenz in November, will be a contested race again, because either Jake Stuiver or Rami Pinchevsky may vie to unseat him. Jamie Cryan, once thought to be a possible candidate, will likely pick up his role again as Occhipinti’s campaign manager.
Rodriguez most likely choice to unseat Vega
Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez is rapidly emerging as the most likely candidate to face incumbent West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega in the spring. While Dr. Felix Roque had been supported behind the scenes by a variety of political forces, a poll taken during the summer appears to give Rodriguez the best shot of ousting Vega.
Rep. Albio Sires and his chief of staff, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, will likely openly support her. Both had remained in the shadows during Roque’s failed attempt to recall Vega earlier this year. The big question is whether state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack will send his troops in to help Rodriquez.
Sires says ‘no’ to Pelosi
Sires made a bold move last week when he said House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi should not run for minority leader in the upcoming 112th Congress.
“Since joining the U.S. House of Representatives in November of 2006, I have strongly supported Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” Sires said. “I have the upmost respect for her, and I believe the Democrats were able to accomplish a great deal under her leadership. As we are all aware, the midterm election results have redrawn the political landscape in Washington. In light of these changes, House Democrats now face new challenges that require a new approach. I believe it is in the best interest of the Democratic Party that Speaker Pelosi step aside and allow a new face to lead the party back into the majority.”
Some eye U.S. Senate for Smith
Reports that Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith might have ambitions to higher office took an even more bizarre twist this week when some suggested that he’s being groomed not for the House of Representatives, but for the U.S. Senate.
While this may appeal to many people who engage in fantasy politics, the reality is that the U.S. Senate seat currently being kept warm by Sen. Robert Menendez is about to become one of the biggest political footballs in the nation, and Democrats won’t likely trust the seat to a relative newcomer, even if Smith has become one of the most powerful political figures in Hudson County.
Secaucus Democrats fall on hard times
Nicholas Mastorelli, one time chairman of the Secaucus Democratic Committee, reflected on the rise and fall of the Democratic Party there:
“When [Mayor Paul] Amico was going out, I gave orders to the Democratic Committee to allow him to go out with dignity,” Mastorelli said, calling Amico “a good man and a friend.”
Mastorelli, who had an association in Secaucus during the early 1980s of about 150 members, said he encouraged Anthony Impreveduto to run for state Assembly.
Secaucus Democrats are currently in disarray, and some behind the scenes are questioning the leadership of Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, calling him a good legislator, but a poor political leader. The Democrats, which once dominated the City Council, were stripped of their last seat in the November election. But Prieto might not be totally to blame. There is not a lot anyone can do when you have a political movement like Take Back Secaucus falling down on you.
Grab for the Heights in works?
Jersey City is gearing up for the 2013 election, in particular in the Heights. Incumbent Councilman Bill Gaughan, who has served there for 20 years along with his ward leader, Jack Carly, are being challenged by Sean Connors and D.J. Wise for control of the ward leadership, the first step toward unseating Gaughan. Connors and Wise are putting together their own committeepeople, promising to escalate tensions there. This is may be a sign that Gaughan’s clout may be on the decline, despite his job as chief of staff to County Executive Tom DeGise, who may himself face a challenge in next June’s Democratic Primary.