Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis has selected William Sampson IV, a longshoreman and crane operator, to replace Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31) on the Hudson County Democratic Organization line in the June 8th primary.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am very happy and extremely privileged to introduce William B. Sampson IV as our candidate for State Assembly in this year’s election, and I am looking forward to campaigning with Will and working with him to make both Bayonne and Hudson County the best they can be,” Davis wrote in a Facebook post minutes ago.
” … Will [is] someone who will bring a new energy, vitality, and perspective to the State Assembly, and he is well-equipped to serve as a 21st Century leader for Bayonne and the entire 31st District.”
Davis also mentions that Sampson graduated from Bayonne High School in 2007, is a crane operator for Global Container Terminal, and a member of the International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1588 where he serves as a political liaison and holds several board committee positions.
At the end of last month, Davis told Chiaravalloti, the majority whip in the state assembly, that he would not have his support to run on the Democratic party line and conversations with top elected leaders U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Gov. Phil Murphy (D), and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) could not convince him to change his mind.
The mayor has also not elaborated on why Chiaravalloti fell out of favor with him. The assemblyman also hasn’t addressed the situation publicly, but is hosting a virtual fundraiser this evening with suggested donations of $150, $300, or $500.
The 31st Legislative District has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent weeks between the Bayonne assembly pick and state Senator Sandra Cunningham getting charged with driving while intoxicated after sideswiping two parked cars last week.
