BAYONNE – City resident Washington Flores has entered the already crowded 31st District Democratic Assembly race, filing his petitions on March 30 to run, he said.
The 31st District includes all of Bayonne and part of Jersey City.
Flores sought Bayonne’s Third Ward City Council seat last year, but lost in a crowded field of five.
Flores is running alongside already-announced candidate Bruce Alston of Jersey City for one of two Assembly seats.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization has announced its candidates of Angela McKnight of Jersey City and Nicholas Chiaravalloti of Bayonne, backed by Bayonne Mayor James Davis.
Following last year’s May 13 municipal election, which forced a runoff between Davis and then-incumbent Mayor Mark Smith on June 10, Flores had supported Davis. Now he is running against Davis’s Assembly pick.
“I still support Jimmy and believe we need to be behind him to move Bayonne forward,” Flores said.
“But this about not having a candidate forced down people’s throats,” he said. “People need to decide who should be their representative in Trenton.”
Flores said his Little League coaching and involvement in other community activities make him qualified to run.
Former Jersey City Democratic Organization chairman Joe Conte and his running mate, Jersey City cop Ramon Regalado, have also announced their runs. – Joseph Passantino
Flores throws hat into Assembly race
