Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the four-person “Team Kearny” Town Council slate are trading shots over the county budget two weeks before a Democratic primary showdown pits them on opposite sides.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Kearny: Our taxes just went up because of Hudson County! And if that’s not bad enough, the same politicians that are raising our taxes are trying to buy the election for Kearny’s Town Council,” 4th Ward Councilman Stathis Theodoropoulos said in an Instagram reel posted yesterday.
1st Ward Councilman George Zapata continued that Hudson County introduced their preliminary budget last week, which includes a 14.6 percent tax increase for Kearny – the most in the county – both as HCV first reported.
Theodoropoulos noted that Bayonne, Harrison, and Hoboken all have their county taxes going up by less than five percent, contending that some county commissioners are backing their opponents in the June 2nd Democratic primary.
Guy, also the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) chair, and Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle are fielding a full team against Team Kearny, which also includes 2nd Ward Councilman Dennis Solano and Sarah Bonilla.
Today, he chided them for being intentionally misleading about the way the county budget works.
“Shame on these candidates for council. They know county taxes are based upon a state formula that uses the sales that take place in individual municipalities and they know the county does not control or even assess this formula,” Guy declared.
“The latest example of politicians saying whatever it takes to get elected is happening in Kearny. With just two weeks left before Election Day, we are once again seeing the worst in what 2026 politics has to offer. These ridiculous, illogical and unfounded accusations are being made by politicians serving on the Municipal Utility Authority, on the finance committee, and on the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation trying to secure enough votes to keep their political positions.”
He concluded that whether these candidates are lying or incompetent, they are making a great case to elect Zayda Balcazar, Julio Huancaya, Edmund Shea, and Orlando Miranda.
Theodoropoulos remained undeterred, reiterating that Doyle removed he and Zapata from the council’s finance committee in January after she felt they failed to ever become a part of her team, raising concerns about a potential muti-million dollar budget deficit.
“The Hudson County Democratic machine is trying to replace us on the council because they want rubber stamps who won’t speak out when Kearny taxpayers get screwed. Everyone on the Team Kearny slate is running for office to do what’s best for our neighbors, not to do the bidding of any party boss or their special interest donors,” he exclaimed.
“This all started as soon as George Zapata and I spoke out about Kearny’s budget problems last year. We were told to keep quiet and that if we didn’t, the mayor and county party would fund candidates to replace us. They said we weren’t being team players, but the only team we’re on is Team Kearny.”
Theodoropoulos further stressed that the Kearny election is ultimately about voters sending a message that their town is not for sale.
Outside of the 8th District congressional race, West Hudson is where the electoral action is in 14 days, between for the four town council races and the 9th District county commissioner seat.
With Commissioner Al Cifelli retiring, Guy, Doyle, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, and Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli are backing Alex Valdez, one of nine consensus picks by Hudson County Democrats.
Valdez looks to beat Kearny Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) President Mina Elkadious and Harrison 3rd Ward Councilman Larry Bennett.
Cifelli has endorsed Bennett, as have Harrison Mayor James Fife and East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo.
