Former Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) Chair Anthony Vainieri, now the North Bergen Department of Public Works commissioner, is backing Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I’m here as the former Hudson County Democratic Organization chairman, I’ve been a county freeholder, commissioner now, Democratic, I’ve been the chair of that board for seven years. My dad was a Democratic assemblyman, my sister was a a Democratic assemblywoman, ” Vainieri began in a Facebook Reel.
“I worked for [state] Senator [Nick] Sacco, a Democrat, for 30 years. So what I’m trying to elude at is I’ve been a Democrat all my life … It’s time to change. The tide is looking to change red. The state is going in the wrong direction and I feel Mr. Ciattarelli would be the perfect person to put the state back on track.”
His formal announcement is largely icing on the cake for Ciattarelli, given that Sacco, the North Bergen mayor for 40 years, backed the Republican nominee at his mayor’s ball on Thursday, as HCV first reported.
Vainieri joined Sacco and his other township commissioners on stage, where Sacco also backed the Hudson County GOP slate for sheriff and state Assembly, and essentially guaranteed that Sacco would seek re-election in 2027.
Sacco was the third Democratic mayor to stand with Ciattarelli, while Vainieri joins about a dozen Democratic current and former councilman and commissioners going with the Republican nominee over U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11).
Both Sacco and Vainieri supported Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop in the June 10th Democratic primary.
Sherrill has the backing of the HCDO, including state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack, who has been in a blood feud with Sacco for the better part of the past two decades.
“We all want the same thing right now: What’s best for New Jersey. And so I think as you’ve gotten to know me better, as I’ve gotten to know you better, I know that we’re all on the same page in terms of wanting change,” Ciattarelli said in the same video.
“I say this not as a hyper-partisan: The Democratic party has had control of the legislature for the past 25 years. They’ve controlled the executive branch for the last eight years and I see policy failure, after policy failure, after policy failure, whether it’s the affordability crisis, property taxes, electricity bills, housing, childcare, we see a public safety crisis because we’ve handcuffed our police.”
He also contended that public education has suffered because public school curriculums have been watered down, as well as that many suburban communities are burdened by overdevelopment.
“I’m humbled and I think you for your faith, trust, and confidence,” Ciattarelli concluded before initiating a hearty handshake with Vainieri.
The New Jersey governor’s race is on November 4th, with today being the last day to register to vote and early voting running from October 25th through November 2nd.
If Mikie Sherrill wins, North Bergen won’t get table scraps from the state for aid.
Read your five hundred dollar electric bill, it says right on the top in big red letters MIKIE IS DOOMED.
These are the same people who wanted jobs from Steve Fulop. Is there such a thing as a Steve Fulop Republican? Fulop is going to New York to work under the new guy, Mandani. Are they Mandani Republicans? Inquiring minds want to know. Does this make Ciattarelli look good?
Sherrill accusing Ciattarelli of mass murder because of his publishing business is more than shameful; it shows that she is unfit to be a public official.
Paving the way for jobs for himself and sister.
Self serving zero…
https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/not-even-close-mikie-sherrill-dominates-governors-race-on-fantastic-night-for-n-j-dems/
Not but one district.