The Chairman of the Hudson County Republican Party was charged with driving while intoxicated early this morning after police said he had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and “had trouble speaking clearly,” according to a Port Authority police spokesman.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Jose Arango, 57, of West New York, was pulled over in his 2009 black Nissan in Jersey City around 1:30 a.m. after a Port Authority police officer noticed he was driving with no headlights on, said Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
The car, traveling west on 14th Street, eventually swerved within a lane of traffic on 14th Street near Manila Avenue, prompting the officer to pull him over, authorities said.
Arango pulled over and when interviewed by police, they noted “a strong odor of alcohol on the suspect’s breath” and that he “had trouble speaking clearly,” police said.
According to the arresting officers, Arango used the door for support and balance and when exiting his car, he stumbled, prompting police to place him under arrest, officials said.
A longtime staple of the Hudson County Republican party, Arango was elected the chair of the chairs for the Association of the New Jersey Republican County Chairs last year.
He is also the director of Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, a position he’s held since 1998, where he earns just over $100,000 annually – according to public records.
Arango could not immediately be reached for comment.
I wish the best for him.He is a good man.I have had good experiences with him.Good West New Yorker.God Bless ..
Although I am and always be a Democrat, I agree with Tony DeFino. A classmate of mine, Jose grabbed the corrupt HCDO by its horns and WON an Assembly seat from WNY. He IS a good man who will learn from this.
This truly is sad. He has done a lot of good for Hudson county. As Patrick said I hope he learns from this. It is much better he got stopped when he did than to hit someone and be in far worse condition.
The Democrats will rush to help him now if not already. Must have the opposition on the low as always in HC.
Says a pompous Coward who hurls invectives and retreats behind a coward’s cloak of anonymity.
Nice guy and all but really needs to step down as chair. The Republican Party could be much more competitive in Hudson County under new leadership.
Patrick play nice here. No name calling please.
Let me get this straight, “Boy,” you hide behind and choose a pseudonym quite derogatory to Anthony M. DeFino, Jr. and his family, but you ask me to play nice? Remove the log out of your own eye before claiming ‘foul’ on others.
Maybe he can’t give his real name. You know how it is. Say something negative and someone with a “juicecard” gets you fired.
Do you people really think this is the first time he drove drunk? Then you really don’t know Jose Arango. Not 3 times not 7 times not 10+ times but more then that.
I am having trouble buying the “real nice man” endorsements. What about him trying to evade the police by shutting his lights off and also the outstanding warrants in other towns. And take a look at the people of poor character that he associates with – the incompetent and hateful, Jen Giattino of Hoboken, and the law firm of Florio and Keeny that is in hot water in both berhen and Hudson County.