It was a clean sweep for the Democrats on Tuesday night as election results put many of Hudson County’s incumbents back into office, and U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine (who lives in Hoboken) into the governor’s seat.
Democrats victorious
For the local 33rd District, which encompasses Guttenberg, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, West New York and part of Jersey City, Assembly Speaker Albio Sires, also mayor of West New York, and Assemblyman Brian Stack, also mayor of Union City, secured another two years in the State General Assembly with over 27,000 votes each.
“The numbers are outstanding and I want to congratulate everyone for the work they did in this race; thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Stack.
The assemblymen triumphed over Republican challengers Richard Valdes and Alejandria Rodriguez, as well as Independent candidate Christopher Mango.
“Congratulations to Assembly Speaker Albio Sires and Assemblyman Brian Stack,” said Valdes. “It is my sincere hope that the issues brought to the attention of the general public throughout this campaign will be considered and hopefully implemented to move the 33rd District in the right direction.”
In the Hudson County Freeholder race for District 6, which encompasses the town of Union City, incumbent Freeholder Tilo Rivas was re-elected by a large margin over Republican challenger Mirta Cairo.
“I feel great, but the big winner here is Union City, who wants us to continue to improve on our education, our street safety and [much more],” said Rivas. “I am going to continue to work in the county the same way I have been.”
“I want to congratulate Tilo Rivas and I want to thank the people that have helped us in the campaign,” said Cairo. “I feel very confident that I did the best I could, and that’s what it’s all about. I am very proud.”
Freeholder Silverio “Sal” Vega of District 7 was also the first choice over Republican challenger Vasilios G. Scoullos. District 7 incorporates the towns of West New York, Weehawken and Guttenberg.
Rivas also serves on the Board of Commissioners in Union City, and Vega on the Board of Commissioners in West New York.
Municipal election
In Union City’s local election, incumbent Maryury “Margie” Bombino won a landslide victory over challenger Jose Falto for commissioner of revenue and finance on the Union City Board of Commissioners, a spot which was vacated by the late Michael Leggiero earlier this year.
“I’m overwhelmed and so proud to be a part of this great team, and I will continue to work as hard as I can,” said Bombino.
“I want to congratulate Margie Bombino; she ran a good campaign, a clean campaign, and I thank her for that,” said Stack. “I have the utmost respect for her. She’s doing a great job and will continue to do a great job.”
Bombino had originally been appointed to the position last February, and has now been voted in by the general public.
“This is a tremendous victory, and as a team, we made it happen, and we have to make it happen again in May,” said Stack.
Stack and the commissioners will be up for re-election in the regular May municipal election.
Bombino is the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the Union City Board of Commissioners.
“Thank you for believing in us, and especially thank you to all the volunteers that were working out there with us, and thank you for not letting personal attacks become a part of this campaign,” said Bombino.
Down but not out
Although they were not elected, the challengers have all remained in good spirits and are very proud of the numbers they were able to pull, especially since for many of them this was their first political foray. Some are already planning their next run.
“We did very well, and we definitely stated our case,” said Valdes. “I just want to thank the members of the Hudson County Republican Party and Doug Forrester for all their support.”
“I’m elated given our circumstances financially, so if I lost 2½ to 1, this is a victory for me, and I’ll be back in 2006,” said Falto.
Also passing on election night statewide was Public Question No. 1, which established the office of lieutenant governor. The bill, which was first introduced by Assembly Speaker Albio Sires, allows for the lieutenant governor to succeed in the event the regular governor must step down from office. Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com