Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same things over and over and expecting a different outcome each time.
In this regard, the forces aligned against Mayor Dawn Zimmer seem to be totally insane.
The mid-term elections in November involve all six ward seats, and could determine who has control of the nine-member City Council next January. Currently, council members aligned with Zimmer have a 5-4 majority on the council.
In order for the anti-Zimmer forces to take control again they would have to win one of the Zimmer seats.
The 5th and 6th Wards are seen as the most attainable – even though Peter Cunningham is seen as a capable councilman in the 5th Ward and Jennifer Giattino, while not popular among poorer voters elsewhere in the city, seems to have a lock on the wealthy voters in her 6th Ward.
The anti-Zimmer forces could actually lose seats as they continue to fight among themselves. Many expect Ruben Ramos Jr. – who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2013 – to run against incumbent Tim Occhipinti in the 4th Ward. But it is possible Ramos may also field a candidate in the 1st Ward against longtime councilwoman Theresa Castellano.
Ramos and Castellano feuded in the 2013 race, and the ill feelings apparently remain.
Ramos may even field a full ticket in all six wards, which would split votes and leave pro-Zimmer candidates in good shape to retain their current seats.
Two anti-Zimmer tickets split in 2013, allowing a Zimmer ticket to sweep into office, even though she was unable to gain a majority of the total votes.
A split anti-Zimmer ticket this year could see pro-Zimmer candidates winning in the 1st and possibly the 4th ward.
Beth Mason, the anti-Zimmer councilwoman in the 2nd ward, hasn’t yet said if she will seek reelection. This could leave that seat up for grabs as well.
League of Women Voters to moderate candidate forum in West New York
For only the second time, the New Jersey League of Women Voters has agreed to get involved with a campaign in Hudson County.
While the League will not be sponsoring the candidates’ forum the way it did in Hoboken previously, the influential group is apparently convinced that the West New York municipal election in May warrants their involvement.
This event will feature the top contenders in a race that pits two full tickets of commissioner candidates as well as two independents.
The event is scheduled for April 30.
The most prominent candidates in this election are Mayor Felix Roque and Commissioner Count Wiley. The two men ran together in their victorious upset win against then Mayor Sal Vega, but have since had a falling out. Their disputes have often been very vocal and extremely hostile, although over the last few months, both have toned down their rhetoric – perhaps in anticipation of the election. This is more than just a public policy dispute, it is a family feud. If the two men are calm on the surface, you can bet they are seething inside.
David vs. Goliath in North Bergen
Larry Wainstein, backed by a significant bankroll and a lot of personal animosity, has turned the North Bergen commissioner election into a political reality TV show.
While the election will seek to seat five commissioners, from whom one will be selected as mayor, this is a grudge match between Wainstein and Mayor Nicholas Sacco over the township’s apparently allowing a business competing with Wainstein’s to open.
As the founder of the Concerned Citizens of North Bergen, Wainstein – to many people’s thinking – waged a guerilla war against Sacco in North Bergen, taking advantage of the ill-feelings between Sacco and neighboring Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
Once peace broke out between Sacco and Stack, Wainstein had to turn to other people with longtime grudges against Sacco. It is from some of these that Wainstein is getting his strongest support.
How much traction Wainstein has depends on whom you ask.
Most believe that Wainstein would like to win at least one of the five commissioner seats. This would give him (should he win himself) a permanent platform for complaint and access to much more inside information.
Wainstein and his Concerned Citizens have waged verbal war at commissioner meetings for nearly three years during the portion when members of the public can speak. In most towns, there is a time restriction comments. As a commissioner, Wainstein would be able to air his complaints unrestricted. This may be a reason to vote for or against him.
Battles lines drawn in the 31st District
Stripped of the support of state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, incumbent Assemblyman Charles Mainor has decided not to seek reelection after all.
With the decision of Jason O’Donnell, the other incumbent, not to run as well, the primary race will pit two candidates backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) against independent candidates.
Angela McKnight, of Jersey City, and Nicholas Chiaravalloti, of Bayonne, have been endorsed by the HCDO. Both have been endorsed by the mayors of their town. They are seen as favorites to become the Democratic candidates for the general election in November.
But the race begins to sound like a Monty Python routine from the film “Life of Brian,” as other candidates run on tickets with remarkably similar names.
Joseph Conte, of Jersey City, is running with Ramon Regalado, of Bayonne, under the banner of Hudson County Democrats United. To add confusion to an already confusing race, Bruce Alston, of Jersey City, will be running with Washington Flores (who used to be a Republican) of Bayonne under the banner, Hudson Uniting Community and Public Service.
Meanwhile, Dejon Morris of Jersey City is running under the banner Hudson Committed to restoring the People’s Trust.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.