Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis has declared victory over Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, who was seeking a sixth term, marking a big win for the county Democrats.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Preliminary tallies from the Hudson County Clerk’s Office had Davis up by a margin or roughly 54 to 46, or about 4,000 votes, with over 56 percent of the vote counted.
Schillari, who ran on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” gubernatorial slate, hit Davis repeatedly over workplace lawsuits alleging sexual harassment.
Davis, who ran on the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) slate, returned fire by alleging excessive overtime spending in the sheriff’s office and saying five terms is enough.
Schillari had key endorsements from the Hudson County Building Trades Council and the Jersey City Education Association, while Davis had three sheriffs and seven public safety unions hoping to see the incumbent unseated.
The win is key for HCDO Chair Craig Guy and state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, though four other mayors also backed Davis, who succeeded in taking out a key alley of North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco.
Juan perez for undersheriff