Bayonne election no surprise

The Democratic celebration at The Chandelier Restaurant on the evening of the Nov. 8 election did not bring out vast crowds, just a steady stream of dignitaries stopping off for a glass of wine or a hot dog.
There was no rally, no cheering crowds, no political speeches.
Dignitaries from around Hudson County came in on their way from one celebration to another, paying their respects to the 31st District victors: Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (from Bayonne) who had succeeded in his re-election bid along with his running mate, Assemblyman Charles Mainor (from Jersey City), and State Sen. Sandra Cunningham (from Jersey City).
The 31st District covers all of Bayonne and part of Jersey City. Each state legislative district has one state senator and two assembly people.
O’Donnell thanked his campaign workers for their dedication and hard work, attributing the successful election to their efforts.

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“We have real people in Trenton representing our interests.” – Mayor Mark Smith
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“On occasions such as tonight, I think it’s appropriate to spend some time thinking about what a great honor it is to be elected by the people,” he said. “I am truly humbled by the notion that the people have selected me to be their voice, and I never lose sight of the fact that I represent the 31st Legislative District. I am a Democrat – that much is obvious. But I also cherish Democratic values. I support organized labor as a good and honest counterbalance to corporate interests in our society today. I believe in the little guy trying to make an honest living and provide for his or her family. I think government should help level the playing field. I think people’s basic human needs are more important than corporate greed and record profits. I believe in fairness and equality and equal opportunity.”
He said his time in public office has taught him a number of things.
“I have had the pleasure to be a part of legislation that made people’s lives better, helped put people to work, and saved babies’ lives,” he said. “I’ve supported laws to protect the environment, stimulate business, and improve public health.”
“We have real people in Trenton representing our interests,” Mayor Mark Smith said, congratulating O’Donnell and the rest of the Democratic team. Smith also is the chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

Dignitaries came and went

Among those who came to celebrate with the candidates were Rep. Albio Sires and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, who stopped off as part of a tour of election celebrations around the county.
With the exception of Freeholder Doreen DiDomenico, local Democrats did not come to the celebration right away, but lingered at the Democratic headquarters on Avenue C, looking over the final numbers – although they knew they would win very early.
Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, who beat Stephen DeLuca, his Republican challenger, by an overall countywide margin of 42,392 to 9,489, said he was impressed with his opponent’s resume.
“I never met the man, but his credentials were impressive,” DeGise said.
Although DeLuca only secured about 18 percent of the vote county wide, in Bayonne he received slightly more than 30 percent of the total votes cast.
In the 31st District races, Cunningham – with 13,275 votes district-wide – beat back a challenge from two candidates, Republican Donnamarie James with 2,836 votes, and independent Louis Vernotico with 320, for the state Senate. In Bayonne, James received nearly 1,388 votes to Cunningham’s 3,307.
In the Assembly race, O’Donnell and Mainor won easily over their Republican challengers, Michael Alonso and Daniel Beckelman, who had stronger showings in Bayonne than in Jersey City. Counting just Bayonne votes, O’Donnell led all Democrats, while Alonso led Republicans to a closer race locally than was reflected by the district wide results that included Jersey City.
Bayonne Freeholder DiDomenico, who ran unopposed, received 3,900 votes.
Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea from Jersey City came to Bayonne to help DiDomenico celebrate. Once considered the maverick who beat the Democratic-backed candidates for freeholder in two early Democratic primaries, he has been unopposed in primary and general elections for the last two of his four election cycles.
“I guess people like me now,” he joked.
In the county register race, in Bayonne, Democrat Pamela Gardner beat Republican Edith Jorge – 3,144 to 1,340 – a far closer result than countywide, where Gardner beat Jorge 82 percent to 18 percent in the total county vote.
Bayonne voters followed the countywide trend, voting to approve sports betting at casinos and racetracks.