The man who set off fireworks as a third candidate in last year’s mayoral race – causing a runoff by taking away more than 500 votes from the other two candidates – is again stirring the pot in this year’s Assembly election.
Anthony Zanowic of Bayonne garnered 506 votes in the May 13, 2014, mayoral contest. This showing stopped then incumbent Mayor Mark Smith or challenger James Davis from collecting 50 percent plus one vote. Zanowic has now filed to run as an independent in the Nov. 3 elections for the New Jersey Assembly’s 31st District, which includes all of Bayonne and part of Jersey City.
Two candidates will be chosen to represent the district.
Zanowic and his running mate, Realtor Alejandro Rodriguez of Bayonne, are running under the Your Independent Leadership heading. They will face Democratic primary winners Nicholas Chiaravalloti of Bayonne and Angela McKnight of Jersey City, and Republican primary winners Matt Kopko of Bayonne and Herminio Mendoza of Jersey City.
Zanowic and Rodriguez will have a tough battle ahead of them with Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed candidates Chiaravalloti and McKnight, as well as formidable opponents Kopko and Mendoza.
“We are both committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of the 31st District.” – Anthony Zanowic
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“We are both committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of the 31st District,” Zanowic said on Sunday.
If elected, Zanowic said he and Rodriguez will focus on working for improvements in the areas of education, crime, roadway construction and its effect on traffic, encouraging new businesses to come to the area, and keeping taxes under control.
“We will accomplish these tasks through working with local officials and the state legislature,” Zanowic said.
He said he and his running mate would roll out their plans in more detail as the campaign progresses.
Candidate background
Zanowic was born in Jersey City, moved to Bayonne as a teenager and attended Bayonne High School. Later, he studied geo-science at what is now New Jersey City University.
Zanowic manages Hudson Lanes in Jersey City, at the Bayonne border, one of the largest small businesses in Hudson County.
In his youth, he was a Golden Gloves boxer. For years, he trained and mentored young men in the ring.
View of politics
During last year’s mayoral election, he said, “Politics should not be about imposing one’s beliefs on the entire population. Politics should be based on the wants and needs of all people. Compromise is the art of hearing all views, debating the pros and cons, and then combining everything into law.”
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.