The HCDO has rolled out their endorsements for the June 8th primary, all of which were largely expected, with the possible exception being that Hudson County Register Diane Coleman won’t be seeking a second term and former Freeholder Jeff Dublin getting the nod to succeed her.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Hudson County is home to some of the most diverse communities in the nation and as an organization, we are committed to promoting leadership that is reflective of the people they are elected to serve,” HCDO Chair Amy DeGise said in a statement.
“From Governor Murphy, who has been a tireless advocate of Hudson County’s working and middle class families, to our State Senate, Assembly and county candidates, I’m confident this slate will stand by our Democratic values, continue to fight for our County and do what is best for all of our residents.”
Receiving the nod from the HCDO are Murphy, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, state Sens. Sandra Cunningham, Nick Sacco, and Brian Stack, as well as Assembly members Angela McKnight, Raj Mukherji, Annette Chaparro, Angelica Jimenez, and Pedro Mejia.
The only incumbent who will be running off the line is Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31), the state Assembly’s Majority Whip who announced last week that he’ll still be seeking a fourth term after a falling out with Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis.
Running in his place on the line is 32-year-old crane operator and longshoreman William Sampson IV, Davis’ preferred pick.
While Cunningham, also of the 31st Legislative District, was charged with DWI last month, that evidently has not hurt her standing with the local Democratic party.
As for Dublin, he served as the District 3 freeholder between 2004 and 2014, and although he initially planned to rematch Gerard Balmir in 2017, he ultimately decided not to run as Jerry Walker ultimately got the nod from the county.
“When I sat on the freeholder board, the register’s office was one of the committee’s that I oversaw and I thought this would be a new challenge for me after 32 years: 10 years as the freeholder and 20 years working at Jersey City Incinerator Authority and DPW,” Dublin told HCV this evening.
“I’m excited to be going back to the county. Mayor Steve Fulop gave me a call and asked me about it [running for county register] and I told him ‘sure, why not.'” … We’re gonna make sure we reach every household, I have a lot of friends throughout the county, and I’m confident of a good result in June – and then again in November.”
Coleman, a former Ward F councilwoman, was elected to a five-year term as county register in November 2016.
The county register oversees the recording of all land title documents for properties within the boundaries of Hudson’s 12 municipalities.
