The Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) is calling on a super PAC linked to Mayor Steven Fulop’s gubernatorial run, as well as some of his down ballot candidates, to denounce a “racist” mailer related to the 31st Legislative District Assembly race.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Elections can be contentious, and Hudson County elections are specifically well-known as not for the faint of heart,” the county Democrats said in a joint statement.
“But in a time where mayors are detained and members of Congress are threatened with arrest by the federal government for simply doing their job, the last things county residents need are racism and lies from the people who wish to lead them.”
They continue that while Fulop, Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato (D-31), her running mate Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer, and Sheriff Frank Schillari did not receive HCDO support, they need to work together after the June 10th primary to push back against the MAGA agenda.
“It’s well past time for Steve, Barbara, Jacqueline, and Frank to denounce this racist mail piece and agree to a level of civility and accountability in advance of June 10th’s Election Day. Ignorance will not excuse racism, lies and gutter politics in this election.”
The mailer in question is from the Coalition of Progress PAC, Fulop’s main backer in gubernatorial race that has also shown support for Schillari and the Jersey City mayor’s Assembly candidates.
“Billionaire Paul Fireman gave Jerry Walker hundreds of thousands of dollars to help turn Liberty State Park into a private golf course,” the campaign piece that hit mailboxes early this month says, citing a Jersey City Times editorial that said Walker received over $250,000 from Fireman.
The photo of Walker, running with the HCDO’s support in LD-31, was taken from a Hudson County Board of Commissioners meeting and is wearing a silver watch.
The original photo, where both of his arms are mostly obscured, appeared in The Jersey Journal last year.
Walker did not return a call seeking further comment this morning, though he mentioned the situation at the HCDO gala on May 7th, as HCV first reported.
“… You saw the picture that the picture that they posed of me: They made me look darker, that’s a racist undertone, they painted me with a Rolex watch – I don’t even own a God damn watch. This is crazy, this is crazy, but I love it.”
Coalition for Progress brushed off Walker’s claim as a sign of “desperation,” denying that the coloring of the photo was altered and doubling down on its criticism of the commissioner’s record.
“Jerry Walker should really focus on explaining to the people of Jersey City why he took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the billionaire who tried to turn Liberty State Park into a private golf course for the rich,” they said through a spokesperson.
The PAC began a cable television and digital ad campaign with the same messaging today that is expected to run through the Primary Election.
Additionally, HCDO Executive Director Storm Wyche said that “facts don’t appear to matter to this campaign,” noting that Walker did not personally receive any money from the Fireman Foundation, rather it was his nonprofit Team Walker.
She also pointed out that the nonprofits of Bob Hurley, North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, and state Senator Angela McKnight also received donations for the same reason – for providing recreational opportunities and after school programs for local children.
“Jerry Walker is owed an apology for the racist darkening of his skin in this mailer just as he is owed an apology for any suggestion that his support can somehow be ‘bought’. Ever,” Wyche added.
“He has dedicated his life to making sure Jersey City kids can have a better life and these lies from people trying to deceive voters will not be allowed to go unchecked.”
In New Jersey, super PACs are not supposed to coordinate with individual candidates.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from the Coalition for Progress and then HCDO Executive Director Storm Wyche.
