Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) Chair Craig Guy, also the county executive, is slamming outgoing Sheriff Frank Schillari for joining the Republican party, exclaiming that Democratic “voters rejected him” in the June 10th primary.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Weeks after Hudson County Democratic voters resoundingly rejected the horrible campaign put forward by Sheriff Schillari and his handlers, he continues to sign off on nonsensical statements that only serve to tear down whatever limited legacy he should be trying to preserve,” he said in a statement.
“While national Republicans were fleeing President Trump’s side yesterday to escape the growing Epstein scandal and create distance from the cruel Trump Big Beautiful Bill that cuts education dollars, slashes critical Medicaid funding, and guts much-needed money for SNAP, Schillari’s handlers decided to run towards the explosion.”
Schillari, who ran on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” slate last month, lost to the HCDO-backed Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis by about eight points: 35,833 votes to 31,241, according to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office.
The incumbent unexpectedly announced he had switched parties on Tuesday and is expectedly being embraced by the red party, both as HCV first reported.
He’s the first Republican Hudson County sheriff to hold office since his predecessor, Juan Perez (now a Bayonne councilman-at-large), switched parties in 2010.
The last time a Republican sheriff was elected was in 1905, based on the history of the post on the sheriff’s office website.
“Schillari’s shameful announcement reaffirms why voters rejected him so soundly on June 10th and is just the latest example of his poor decision-making. Hudson Democratic voters were clear in their support for Jimmy Davis to be our next County Sheriff, and we are looking forward to advancing that momentum for Mikie Sherrill for Governor, Davis for Sheriff, and the entire county Democratic ticket this November 4th,” Guy added.
“In the meantime, Frank and his handlers can lob out press releases praising Jack and the Donald while County residents suffer under the Trump regime and national Republicans scurry back home to try and defend the indefensible.”
Hudson County GOP Chair Jose Arango said that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will ultimately bolster the economy, noting that Democrats control the state legislature and have for many, many years.
“The reality is that people have to decide if they feel comfortable with their situation or if they want to make a change politically. I think with Jack Ciattarelli, New Jersey will have a better future. The economic crisis that New Jersey has was not created by the Republican party because we don’t have any control.”
Additionally, New Jersey GOP Committeeman Pavel Sokolov, also the chair of the Hoboken GOP, said in response that Ciattarelli is poised to defeat Sherrill on November 4th and no amount of deflection will change that.
“As we in the NJGOP have been saying all along, Craig gives voters absolutely no reason to vote for Sherill, other than wild unsubstantiated claims about a president who had the best Republican turnout in Hudson county in Modern history,” he asserted.
“While Jack works to address the electricity rate hikes and property tax crises caused by the establishment Democrats, Craig continues to posture unable to realize that his party, now represented by Zohran Mamdani, left him long ago.”
Schillari also re-affirmed his support for Ciattarelli and his candidate for lieutenant governor, Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon.
“As a career law enforcement professional, I’m proud to stand behind two leaders who
have our back. Jack Ciattarelli has always shown unwavering support for law enforcement, and with Jim Gannon, Morris County Sheriff, and a proven public servant by his side, I know they will lead New Jersey with integrity and purpose,” he declared.
“Jack Ciattarelli and Jim Gannon are the partners law enforcement needs to keep our communities safe and prosperous.”
If Craig Guy’s job weren’t contingent on being a Democrat, then he’d be copying Schillari in a heartbeat.
when this guy talks remember his DWI fix nothing more than a stiff from the clan at HCDO
One of the Sheriff’s running mate was a longtime Republican before he “ conveniently “ switched to being a Democrat. Mayor Sacco would NEVER switch to being a Republican. Seems to me this lame duck sheriff only just came out of the closet as a Republican WHEN IT SUITED HIM, leaving the Party of “ I give a Damn for my fellow Man and Woman, and joining the Party of “I DON’T give a Damn for my fellow Man or Woman.