Bayonne Council President Gary La Pelusa and Frank Conwell Middle School Assistant Principal Lissa Santiago will serve as the co-chairs of the campaigns of Assemblyman Will Sampson (D-31) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3).
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I’ve known both William and Jerry for some time and I’ve been impressed by their commitment to not only providing resources to help educate our children, but also to their willingness to devote their time and energy to help maximize those resources,” Santiago said in a statement.
“In the weeks since they announced they would be running to represent the district in the New Jersey Assembly I’ve watched the outpouring of support they’ve received and I am looking forward to helping them win this election.”
Sampson and Walker are seeking the LD-31 Assembly seats with the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), who are also backing Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, a retired police captain, for sheriff.
Sampson and Walker will face off with Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato and Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer, who are running on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s ticket as part of his gubernatorial run, in the June 10th primary.
Sampson and McCann Stamato ran together in 2023 under the HCDO banner and were elected in a landslide, but ended up on opposite political sides as a civil war among the local Democrats broke out this summer.
Fulop is also backing County Sheriff Frank Schillari for re-election.
“William and Jerry are the ideal candidates to lead Bayonne and the district forward. They are already a force in our communities and it will be to the benefit of every family in Bayonne, Jersey City and Kearny to have them down in Trenton working for us,” added La Pelusa, who also represents Bayonne’s 3rd Ward.
“We need to make sure we are getting our fair share of state funding and that we have responsible stewards fighting to make sure our voices are heard. I’ve watched over the last few weeks as the momentum for their campaign has continued to build and I know we are going to work every day to help deliver a win on June 10th.”
Other electeds who attended their recent petition drive include U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8), West New York Mayor Albio Sires, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, County Commissioner Kenneth Kopacz (D-1), Bayonne Councilmen-at-Large Loyad Booker and Juan Perez, as well as Jersey City Councilmen Frank Gilmore and Danny Rivera.
The HCDO announced last month that Hoboken Housing Authority Chair Barbara Reyes will serve as the campaign chair of 32nd Legislative District Assembly candidates Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca, as HCV first reported.
In LD-33, the HCDO, led by state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, are backing businessman Larry Wainstein, a longtime political opponent of North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, and Assemblyman Gabe Rodriguez.
They county Democrats not revealed any campaign chair(s) for that contest as of this writing.
