Even though it was only Nov. 5, Casino in the Park, the post-election celebration place for Democrats, had its Christmas tree up. It was covered in gold angels. For Democrats, Nov. 5 was Christmas, as local officials swept their races.
Tom DeGise defeated Republican Ira Jersey and Green Party candidate Claudette Melierre for county executive, and all nine Democratic incumbent freeholders won re-election.
But a cloud hung over the hall even though Democratic loyalists chose not to acknowledge it as important. Jersey City Democrats like Mayor Glenn Cunningham did not appear.
Because this election was to fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of former County Executive Robert Janiszewski, the joy of victory was tempered by the fact that another county executive primary looms ahead for next June. DeGise, who sounded a realistic note in his speech, said, “Two down, two to go.” This meant he believes a primary battle will be coming, and that he still has another general election next November before he can call the county executive seat his own for four years.
The shadow of corruption also hangs over the hall as Janiszewski’s guilty plea last month left the future of at least two victorious freeholders in doubt. Janiszewski has claimed in court that Freeholder Nidia Davila-Colon served as a conduit for bribes, a charge more formally stated in an indictment issued against her in late October.
Davila-Colon won in the 4th Freeholder district in Jersey City Heights last week against Pierto Davila-Cruz, despite a radical shift in the district due to the 2000 census. In winning her seventh three-year term as freeholder, Davila-Colon said she was innocent of any wrong-doing and was bolstered by the “hugs and kisses” she got from people who greeted her all day long at the polls.
“People kept telling me that they were rooting for me,” she said. “That made this the sweetest victory of my political career.”
Freeholder Bill Braker, who beat Republican Alexander Mueller in the 3rd Freeholder District in the downtown Jersey City area, did not attend the festivities.
“I didn’t want to seem arrogant,” he said.
Braker, who believes he will be indicted soon, resigned his position, then withdrew his resignation in the wake of this victory.
“The people have spoken,” he explained in a later interview. “They wanted me in that seat, so I’m going to stay there.”
Bill O’Dea beat Republican Herberto O’Neill in the 2nd Freeholder District in the west side of Jersey City. O’Dea actually brought out more votes in that area than DeGise, a promising prospect for someone rumored to challenge DeGise for county executive next June.
“I’m going to keep pursing the same issues I pursued before the election,” O’Dea said. “I’m concerned with questions about our former nursing home facilities, the fate of the Copper’s Coke site in Kearny and how the county awards its contracts to vendors.”
Maurice Fitzgibbons, who was re-elected in the 5th Freeholder District that includes all of Hoboken and some of Jersey City Heights, said, “Voters in my district voted a little bit Republican, a little bit Green and a whole lot more Democratic.”
Fitzgibbons defeated Republican Jerry Forman, Green Party candidate Daniel Tumpson and Independent Alternative candidate Walter Zapoluch. The elated Fitzgibbons said his re-election meant that he could continue to pursue his dream of developing a county arts high school.
Freeholder Chairman Sal Vega, who defeated Republican Joseph Aponte, predicted a new era in cooperation between the county executive and the Board of Freeholders.
“We look forward to working closely with this administration,” he said. “We are looking for the new county executive to provide this county with direction the last two administrations lacked.”
DeGise agreed, saying that his role as Jersey City council president taught him to respect the legislative branch of government, and he said he will be seeking to build a good relationship with the freeholders.
DeGise also noted that the next year will be an adjustment period, and that while he expects a primary battle, he hopes the party will pull together.
Freeholder Barry Dugan of Bayonne beat Republican David Solari in the 1st Freeholder District that includes Bayonne and a slice of Jersey City. Brian Stack, in the 6th District that includes all of Union City, defeated Republican Pedro Brea. Thomas Liggio defeated Republican Kenneth Mickle and independent Francisco Armendariz in the 8th District that includes all of North Bergen and part of Secaucus. Albert Cifelli, whose 9th District includes Kearny, Harrison and East Newark, defeated Republican Louis Lusquinos, Jr. and independent candidate Frank Ferrairia.
Democrats worked together
State Senator Bernard Kenny attributed the victory in Hudson and around the state to the Democrat organization’s ability to get the vote out.
“Since 1992, Democrats in New Jersey developed organization in getting out the vote,” Kenny said. “We have one of the best organizations in the country. This involves the concept of teamwork.”
Hudson County’s Democratic vote, he said, helped overcome Republican votes for Senate in three powerful Republican-dominated counties: Ocean, Morris, and Hunterton.
“This helped Frank Lautenberg to win the U.S. Senate seat,” Kenny said.
Lautenberg defeated Douglas Forrester in the U.S. Senate race.
Kenny predicted a similar kind of approach to government within the county.
“With Tom DeGise, we’re going to try to breed a culture of respect, loyalty and integrity,” he said. “I think Tom will work together with the leaders of the 12 municipalities.”
In looking ahead, Kenny hopes a Democratic primary fight will not be necessary.
“I like to think that the different factions of the Democratic party can work together,” he said.