All key members of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, along with Gov. Phil Murphy (D), are on board to support Rob Menendez, Jr., an attorney and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), for the 8th District congressional seat.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“While replacing Congressman Sires will be difficult, I have been in continuous discussions in recent days with our mayors, elected officials and grassroots GOTV leaders and believe that we have an excellent candidate to continue delivering for Hudson County in my longtime friend Robert J. Menendez,” HCDO Chair Amy DeGise said in a statement.
” … I know that Rob will work hard to bring federal resources back to Hudson County to support critical needs like improving our transportation networks, keeping our communities safe, bringing more jobs and opportunities to our residents and much more. On behalf of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and along with our mayors, state legislators and county officials, I am proud to endorse Robert J. Menendez for Congress.”
DeGise also thanked U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), who confirmed his retirement this week and said his preference was for Menendez, Jr. to succeed him, for his 16 years of service in the House.
The endorsement includes County Executive Tom DeGise, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, County Surrogate Tilo Rivas, County Register-elect Jeff Dublin, County Clerk E. Junior Maldonado, eight of Hudson’s state legislators (minus state Senator Sandra Cunningham), all nine county commissioners, and all 12 mayors.
None of which are particularly surprising, with the exception of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who has been at odds with Menendez, Sr. since 2018 when he was accused of eyeing his Senate seat during his federal corruption trial.
Menendez, Jr. was also considering a run for Jersey City mayor early his year, but ultimately didn’t enter the November contest.
“During these challenging times, unity is important to best help our residents and today is a strong statement of the unity that exists right now in Hudson County,” Fulop said in a statement.
“Congressman Sires has been a great representative and I stand with Robert J. Menendez because I’m confident that he will best be able to continue the progress in bringing the resources and support from the federal government that Jersey City needs.”
Murphy also thanked Sires for his service, dating back to his time as West New York mayor and the New Jersey Assembly Speaker, before signing off on Menendez, Jr.’s candidacy.
“A distinguished attorney and Port Authority commissioner, Robert is exactly the type of leader we need to fight for working and middle-class New Jersey families. Having grown up in Hudson County, he knows the families and communities he is seeking to represent and I believe he’ll be a strong voice for good-paying jobs, affordable health care, strong public schools, and reliable mass transit,” he said in his own statement.
“And, as a millennial, Robert represents a new generation of leadership whose voices need to be represented within our congressional delegation and in the halls of Congress.”
Thank God we won’t need to spend any money on a primary or general election. Just a good old fashioned coronation.
And the people have spoken….all 20 of them! A trend toward uncontested elections is taking shape – and that is not in the public interest. We already have a one party county – the party needs to serve up some options.
Another Democrat club kid member gets handed a high public office. Shocking.
While the Sister gets to keep her MSNBC gig with Al Sharpton
I moved here 18 years ago. Told my neighbors who were born here and older than me, we can stop all this passing jobs to family in JC. They said it will never stop. Well I hope the next new comers can stop this. It’s just dumb and dumber always.