District 9 will be the only Hudson County commissioner race contested in the June 2nd primary, not a particularly shocking outcome as local elected Democrats coalesced behind consensus picks yesterday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Alex Valdez, who has the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, and Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli is in a three-person field to succeed Commissioner Al Cifelli, who is retiring.
His opponents are Kearny Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) President Mina Elkadious and Harrison 3rd Ward Councilman Larry Bennett.
Harrison Mayor James Fife and East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo did not join Doyle in backing Valdez in yesterday’s list of endorsements and they are yet to publicly back a candidate.
Additionally, Anmol Gopalak is the only Republican to file for a Hudson County Board of Commissioner seat in D-9.
Otherwise, the Democratic favorites have a clear path to re-election, with Commissioners Kenny Kopacz (D-1), Bill O’Dea (D-2), Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4), Fanny Cedeno (D-6), Caridad Rodriguez (D-7), and Bob Baselice (D-8) running unopposed.
“At this time when Jersey City and Hudson County are facing tremendous challenges and residents need elected officials who will fight for them, I’m excited to run for re-election and to continue working hard for the people,” O’Dea said in a statement.
“I’ve always been an advocate for transparency, responsible government and progressive values, and in this new political era I believe that the County Commissioners will have a tremendous opportunity to deliver real change on behalf of the people of Hudson County.”
O’Dea, the early favorite to be next year’s board chair, pledged to move all meetings to 6 p.m., reinstate five minutes per person for public comment, as well as pledging to have new developments on county land to include 30 percent deeply affordable units and 20 percent workforce housing for the middle class.
“Commissioner Baselice has done an outstanding job delivering real results for our residents. From securing funding for important projects to improving our parks, roads, and quality of life, Bob has been a strong partner and an effective advocate for North Bergen,” expressed North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, who wasn’t a part of yesterday’s endorsements.
“I fully support his re-election and I’m gratified to see that the Hudson County Democratic Organization is supporting our choice for County Commissioner, Bob Baselice. I’m glad to support the entire HCDO slate of candidates across Hudson County.”
Joining them in District 3 will be Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County Pam Johnson and progressive activist Ron Bautista in District 5, who are also unopposed in the primary.
Johnson will succeed Commissioner Celeste Williams, who is fulfilling the remainder of Jerry Walker’s term after he was elected to represent the 31st District in the state Assembly in November.
Bautista will replace Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony “Stick” Romano, a 70-year-old retired Hoboken police captain who is retiring after six terms.
While it won’t effect the outcome, he told HCV today that he won’t be supporting Bautista, who he defeated in 2020 and 2023.
Arguably the most unusual turn of events came in D-4.
As of Friday morning, Aponte-Lipski appeared like she would have two opponents: Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member David Guirgis and former Jersey City Ward D council candidate Patrick Ambrossi.
However, Guirgis backed out of the race Friday afternoon, with Ambrossi declaring that he would be collecting signatures over the weekend, as HCV first reported.
However, Ambrossi wore on Instagram this afternoon that he had decided not to file for the good of the party.
“Jersey City is my home and it always will be. That is why this decision is not easy, I have chosen not to proceed with running for County Commissioner. Today, Jersey City is facing an austere financial crisis that threatens the public services that working families need,” he wrote.
“I don’t wish to divide the Democratic Party and I will always put Jersey City first. I look forward to continuing to serve my community in partnership with the [County Executive Craig] Guy & Solomon Administrations.”
The Hudson County government has long been led by hacks like Cifelli, Romano, and Vainieri, who have failed to prioritize the needs of county residents and who endorsed Trump and Ciatterelli in the last two elections. It’s great to see the last two of them exit and I’m thrilled to hear that Commissioner O’Dea, one of the few remaining people with any integrity in the County, is promising to overturn the reactive changes that group of goons instituted after the ICE fight in 2020 which served to just punish county residents who dared speak out against their complicity with ICE.
It’s a really sad showing from the Solomon aligned progressives that they were unable to mount any challengers across the county, and that David Guirgis waited until the last possible minute to drop out, effectively ceding ground to the Hudson County Dems and leaving DSA and Solomon unable to find any replacement in time. It makes me suspicious that he was a party plant meant to prevent any opposition, I wonder if DSA or Solomon will learn from this massive tactical error in 3 years.
After serving my District for the past 30 years with integrity and sound judgment, it’s gratifying to be labeled a “hack”. LOL. But what can you expect from a writer who does know his/her facts, i.e. I certainly DID NOT endorse Trump or Ciattarelli. So much for accuracy! But after 30 years, I felt it was time for someone new to assume the position.
Thanks to all those folks who voted for me over the years.
Al Cifelli,
PS To the writer: Have some courage and sign your name to your hit pieces just as I have done!