Despite being officially ousted by the Hudson County Democratic Organization last Friday, Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia (D-33) may fight to retain his seat in the June 2 Democratic primary election, sources exclusively told Hudson County View.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
According to sources, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, Garcia held a private fundraiser at Teak on the Hudson Thursday night – one of Hoboken’s premiere upscale restaurants that doubles as a nightclub.
Approximately 50 guests passed through the event, with state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-29), Hoboken Freeholder Anthony Romano (D-5) and former Assemblyman Ruben Ramos among those making appearances, sources said.
When reached by Hudson County View yesterday, Garcia did not confirm or deny that he would be running off the line, but did state that he attended a political gathering on Thursday.
Although he declined to comment further, a photo uploaded to his Instagram page last night seems to confirm Garcia is prepping for another Assembly run:
Garcia, who was elected to the post in the November 2013 election along with state Sen. Brian Stack (D-33) (also the Union City Mayor) and Raj Mukherji (who will seek re-election on the HCDO line).
He was kicked off the line in this time around in favor or Annette Chaparro, a Hoboken City Hall employee who is also the fiancé of City Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante.
At last week’s HCDO press conference, Stack thanked Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, a long-time nemesis of Garcia, for helping to select Chaparro as the latest District 33 Assembly candidate.
Both Mukherji and Chaparro spoke to Hudson County View last week after receiving their endorsements from the HCDO.
