HUDSON COUNTY — Nicholas Chiaravalloti and Angela McKnight overwhelming won in the Democratic primary on Tuesday night in a district including Bayonne and some of Jersey City, moving on to face Republicans for the 31st District in the general election in November.
Chiaravalloti with 5,097 votes and McKnight with 5,502 defeated former Jersey City Committee Chairman Joseph Conte (with 1,660), Ramon Regalado (with 1,351), Bruce Alton (with 959), Washington Flores (with 800) and Dejon Morris (with 153).
Although this primary had a low turn out, members of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (which backed Chiaravalloti and McKnight) gathered Chandelier catering hall in Bayonne to mark this as the first step towards what will likely be a powerful backing in a race for governor in 2017.
“The HCDO hasn’t been as strong as this in 20 years,” said HCDO Chairman and state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, who was joined by County Executive Tom DeGise, Bayonne Mayor James Davis, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and others.
DeGise who ran unopposed will run against Republican Ivan H. Sutherland in November.
Chiaravalloti and McKnight will run against Republicans Matthew Kopko and Herminio Mendoza in November