The New Jersey Working Families Party (NJWFP) is backing David Guirgis and Ron Bautista for Hudson County commissioners in the 4th and 5th Districts, respectively.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The NJ Working Families Party is proud to endorse these bold leaders who are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder and ten toes down with working people,” New Jersey Working Families Party State Director Antoinette Miles said in a statement.
“From public transit and roads, to immigration and Medicaid cuts, county commissioners are on the forefront of national and local fights that shape everyday life. Working people need fierce advocates who will meet the moment and put the county government to work for them, not the powerful or the wealthy.”
The NJWFP is also supporting Ali Aljarrah, a senior advisor for New Jersey’s chapter of CAIR, for Passaic County commissioner.
All three candidates earned their endorsements after a rigorous vetting process and demonstrated a clear commitment to fighting for working families.
They were required to submit a questionnaire and interview with organizational members of NJ WFP’s State Committee, then also participated in 13 weeks of training and coaching from NJ WFP on how to run a grassroots campaign, according to Miles.
“Since the year I was born, the Working Families Party has been on the front lines of the fight for a multiracial working class democracy. I started my career as a field organizer for the WFP’s choice for President, Elizabeth Warren, so it is an especially gratifying full-circle moment to be endorsed by the WFP today,” noted Guirgis.
“Together, we will win the fight for an affordable, corruption-free Hudson County — and we will deliver 100% green social housing, universal childcare, and free community college for everyone who calls Hudson County home.”
Guirgis is looking to unseat Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4) in the June 2nd Democratic primary, with former Ward D council candidate Patrick Ambrossi also mulling a bid for commissioner.
“I’m proud to be a Working Families Democrat because Hoboken and Jersey City deserve a county government that fights for all our neighbors, not just party insiders,” explained Bautista.
“For over 25 years, the Working Families Party has shown us what it means to champion the working people who keep our communities running — standing up for our democracy against billionaires while rejecting machine politics that silences our voices. This endorsement is proof that our movement for affordability and opportunity over machine politics is winning. I’m so honored to have their support.”
Bautista potentially has a trilogy matchup in store against Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5), who defeated him in 2020 and 2023, though the second contest was much closer, with the challenger losing by 235 votes.
