BAYONNE —As of Feb. 9, three people have picked up petitions for the May election for mayor in Bayonne: 3rd Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa Sr., retired police officer Leonard R Kantor, and resident John Budnik. Incumbent Mayor Mark Smith is expected to run for re-election.
For the two at-large council seats, La Pelusa Sr. has also taken out paperwork, as have Brian O’Connor, Ursula McGurrin, Christopher Amabile, Deborah E. Noble, former Councilwoman Maria Karczewski, William J. Birtwistle, Thomas J. Bragen, John Budnik, and Mark Urban.
Brian O’Connor has also taken out paperwork for the 1st Ward Council seat, as have Ursula McGurrin, Barry Kushnir, and Roy Mieszkowski. Incumbent Councilman Ted Connolly said he will be seeking re-election, but has not yet taken out petition forms.
In the 2nd Ward, where incumbent Councilman John Hallecky has yet to decide if he will seek re-election, Salvatore Gullace and Raymond Rokicki have taken out petitions to run.
In the 3rd Ward, incumbent Gary La Pelusa Sr. has taken out paperwork for a possible re-election run. Also picking up paperwork for the 3rd Ward were Michael Alonso, Deborah Noble, Former Councilwoman Maria Karczewski, Anthony San Philip, and Mark Urban.
To avoid confusion, City Clerk Robert Sloan said all petition paperwork will have the candidates’ names on it when issued from his office.
“In that past, some people have signed petitions without names on them,” he said.
Candidates have until March 18 at 4 p.m. to submit their petition signatures to the City Clerk’s office to qualify to be on the ballot in May.