The resignation of Daniel Bryan has sent shock waves through the Hoboken political community – both among those who support Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and those who are opposed to her.
Bryan has been Zimmer’s chief of staff for five years and announced two weeks ago that he would be taking a senior position in the private sector.
Rumors that Zimmer might resign as mayor have been circulating for several weeks, and though many Zimmer supporters have dismissed these rumors, the Bryan resignation has some scratching their heads.
Bryan has taken up a job with a communications firm, strangely enough, connected somewhat to former Assemblyman Ruben Ramos – who ran against Zimmer for mayor in 2012.
The most frequently asked question is why Zimmer would want to resign? Her victory in 2012 along with her retaking control of the council has allowed her to finally begin the arduous task of filling even more key positions with people who support her.
But as strong as Zimmer appears, she is relatively weak. She won her seat with only 47 percent of the vote. She has relied on an alliance with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, whose sole interest was her anti-development stance. Developers who are unable to do business in Hoboken could end up in Jersey City instead. But Fulop doesn’t seem to be the reformer that he professes to be – as indicated by his betrayal of reform candidates in the Jersey City school board election last November.
Last year, Zimmer thought she had an ally in Fulop against Republican Gov. Christopher Christie, but this year Fulop’s position seems to have shifted somewhat as he gears up for a possible run for governor in 2017.
This may explain why Zimmer decided to endorse Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and why she has seemingly moved closer to the Hudson County Democratic Organization, seeking to forge alliances outside Hoboken,
But some of these moves may well backfire among her supporters in Hoboken, who have a healthy distrust of the HCDO.
Zimmer also has to deal with discontent among her own people over a variety of issues. Councilman Dave Mello, a Zimmer ally, even spoke out against the Kids First Board of Education ticket Zimmer supported. Zimmer doesn’t handle dissension well, insiders say.
“You’re either all for Zimmer or you’re against her,” one insider said.
If Zimmer resigns, it will likely come in late September, giving her replacement – most likely Council President Ravi Bhalla – more time in office before a special election is called in 2016.
Watterman puts a wrinkle in 31st District race
Jersey City Councilwoman Joyce Watterman appears to be Mayor Steve Fulop’s candidate of choice for the 31st Assembly District that includes Bayonne and half of Jersey City.
This complicates an already complicated primary in which incumbent Jason O’Donnell is expected to seek reelection despite being opposed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
O’Donnell appears to have good poll numbers and could actually beat the HCDO the way Freeholder Anthony Romano did in last June’s primary.
Each Assembly district has two Assembly members. Traditionally, the 31st District had one assemblyman from Bayonne and the other from Jersey City. Currently, O’Donnell, from Bayonne and Charles Mainor, from Jersey City, are incumbents. Watterman and Nicholas Chiaravalloti have the HCDO support to run against them. Chiaravalloti has close ties to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, giving him significant clout even beyond the district.
While Bayonne Mayor James Davis is expected to support Chiaravalloti for the Bayonne assembly seat, O’Donnell still has the remnants former Mayor Mark Smith’s political organization. O’Donnell may well get unexpected help from State Sen. Sandra Cunningham who apparently supports retaining Mainor as well.
Joe Conte and Bruce Alston are also running for the state Assembly in that district, suggesting that Jersey City will see a significant spread of votes.
O’Donnell can win politically even if he loses in the primary. If he only loses by a narrow margin, he retains the status as the candidate to watch in the next mayoral race against Davis or perhaps even a recall election in 2016. If the vote margin is close between O’Donnell and Chiaravalloti then Davis may be seen as weak. Some are predicting a tax increase in 2015 and an even larger one in 2016; this could start the momentum for a recall.
Some of the people who supported Davis are in a real bind. Many of Davis supporters were not merely anti-Smith, but also anti-former Mayor Joe Doria – and Chiaravalloti is a staunch Doria man.
New faces for Roque ticket in West New York
West New York is seeing a new cast of candidates to run with Mayor Felix Roque. Recently Gabriel Rodriguez, a close association for Rep. Albio Sires, was named to replace Caridad Rodriguez as commissioner and will likely be a candidate on Roque’s ticket.
The resignation of Ruben Vargas will pave the way for Cosmo Cirillo, a former WNY Board of Education president and the current chief of staff for Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, to be named commissioner to fill the vacant commissioner seat.
Roque is expected to name the remaining two candidates within the next few weeks. The question remains whether Fior D`Aliza Frias will be asked to run with Roque again.
An unofficial report suggests that anti-Roque forces may be talking a truly united ticket that would have Commissioner Count Wiley and former Freeholder Jose Munoz running together. The agreement if it ever comes to fruition would keep Wiley at the top of the ticket. The move would create a powerful combination that might shake up the Roque ticket.
Munoz, not only brings a lot of money to the campaign, but also an incredible work ethic that even Roque people begrudgingly admire.
Munoz did not comment how close the two anti-Roque candidates are in these discussions, but said if victorious, he would ask Wiley to retain Donald Scarinci at the city attorney.
“I would ask for a reduced price, but he has done a lot to help West New York,” Munoz said.
Secaucus moves its school elections to November
The Secaucus Board of Education voted last week to move the school elections from April to November, this over the objections of Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
This move will hurt some candidates like the perennial Tom Troyer, who complained that the more complicated November ballot will force people to seek out names of candidates.
Troyer also questioned why the board would act against the wishes of the mayor.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.