Political challengers around Hudson County will be taking long shots from across the political court this spring as candidates defy political machines in West New York, North Bergen, and in the 31st Assembly district (which includes Bayonne and half of Jersey City).
Remarkably enough, the big players who usually sit on opposite side lines to coach their teams to victory are seated on one side this year. In North Hudson, state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack – who in the past could be counted on for a few political laughs – is sitting side by side with his old rival, state Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), in fact, was expected to hold its annual post candidate filing lovefest on March 6 to help celebrate this rare unity.
Longtime and more than a little cynical political observers refuse to believe the peace between Stack and Sacco will last. Perhaps it won’t. But the HCDO has finally found a way to appease Stack, and that keeps Stack from backing candidates that would oppose them.
Stack has not only become Sacco’s bosom pal, but also supports County Executive Tom DeGise – and for good reason. Sacco and DeGise have been very generous in helping Stack inside Union City.
They keep giving Stack what he wants. Most recently, Stack appears to have had the final say in the naming of a new county prosecutor.
Sacco and DeGise have also helped Stack out with Department of Public Works problems. Two years ago, the old armory Stack used for his public works garage was found to have serious structural problems. While Union City will likely repair the building, Stack needed some place to put his vehicles. Sacco offered to lend Stack space in North Bergen. Not to be undone, DeGise arranged through the Hudson County freeholders to allow Stack to use county garage space – and just in time for DeGise’s reelection.
Yet the formula is more than just an election year stunt. DeGise was instrumental in allowing for the reconstruction of a portion of Washington Square Park into a sports complex, helping to offset the desperate need in Union City. Future plans include the building of passive park facilities nearby to match those that already exist in the Jersey City portion of Washington Park.
These gifts go a long way to increase Stack’s already overwhelming popularity among Union City residents – and to promise that Stack will remain mayor as long as he wants.
This is bad news for the anti-machine political factions from Bayonne to Guttenberg, who relied on continue feuding between Stack and the HCDO for their own political agenda.
In some cases, such as with Larry Wainstein, who is running against Sacco for a North Bergen commissioner seat in May, lack of Stack support could be crippling. Weinstein’s Concerned Citizens of North Bergen often seemed to act as a political shock troops for Stack during the Stack-Sacco wars. Wainstein’s assumption that he can win against Sacco without Stack’s support is puzzling. But this also shows that Wainstein always operated for interests beyond Stack’s.
Stack’s reputed agreement with Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer to replace Carmelo Garcia as assemblyman in the 33rd District (the primary is in June) shows just how committed Stack is to keeping the peace. While Garcia may not be as significant a political loss for Stack as Weinstein, Garcia could become a staunch political enemy that Stack doesn’t need. Garcia has the ability to get out the vote in Hoboken, and will likely return as a candidate in Hoboken’s City Council elections in November.
A number of people wanted Stack to support a challenger to DeGise in June’s Democratic primary for county executive. But Stack has successfully fended off such attempts. In one case, anti-DeGise people tried to talk state Sen. Sandra Cunningham into running against DeGise. This would have forced Stack to choose between his close friend, Cunningham, and his new found friend, DeGise. As it turns out, Stack said he would not abandon DeGise. The anti-DeGise people are still looking for a candidate.
O’Donnell needs to keep it close
The political war in the 31st District is much more complex. Bayonne Mayor James Davis has selected Nicholas Chiaravalloti in the primary for one Assembly seat.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop gets to pick the other candidate, but apparently has been unable to make up his mind as to whom. He originally picked Councilwoman Joyce Watterman, then withdrew her name in favor of Michele Richardson – but he reportedly is going to announce another choice shortly. This forces incumbents Charles Mainor and Jason O’Donnell to decide whether they want to run against the HCDO.
Mainor most likely won’t. But O’Donnell has a lot to gain. If he does well enough in the primary (even losing) he could position himself as a future candidate for mayor of Bayonne – either in the municipal election in 2018 or a possible recall election in 2016. O’Donnell has some support inside Bayonne as the old political machine of former Mayor Mark Smith rebuilds, and some support from the Fulop administration in Jersey City for a possible mayoral effort. All O’Donnell needs to do is remain relevant. Davis was also elected mayor with support of a number of conflicting groups, some of which are as suspicious of his administration as they were of Smith’s before him.
David vs. Goliath again?
In West New York, the chess pieces are finally set for a showdown between Mayor Felix Roque and Commissioner Count Wiley. The political gloves are already off, and both sides are expected to draw blood shortly. The Roque ticket may seek legal action to have Wiley and one or two of his running mates removed from the ballot. The Wiley camp, however, claims to be confident that it can withstand a legal challenge.
Wiley, who was elected in 2011 on a ticket headed by Roque, faces a similar challenge, since Roque’s tickets is very much a reflection of the powerful forces supporting Roque – such as Sacco, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, and Rep. Albio Sires.
Wiley’s challenge is similar to the one that Roque faced four years ago – a David-vs.-Goliath match up. Four years ago, Roque was able to split powerful North Hudson factions so that Stack and Sacco were on opposite sides. This year, both Sacco and Stack appear to be staying out of the race.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.