The Hudson County Democratic Organization is supporting U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s idea of an open presidential primary, opting to back whoever wins the nomination and planning to having a separate column for presidential candidates on the June 2 ballot.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We are committed to supporting the Democratic nominee and we are going to work to engage all of the candidates groups during this open primary,” the HCDO tweeted about a half hour ago.
“We hope every presidential campaign is on board to allow the voters to choose their favorite candidate.”
Their social media post came in light of a story by NJ Globe where Menendez called on local Democratic parties to have an open primary rather than endorsing a candidate before June 2nd.
HCV first reported last week that the HCDO was angling to have two separate columns for the primary, one for the presidential candidates and one for a slate of local candidates running on the party line led by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Their endorsements included all of the incumbent federal representatives, including Booker, U.S. Reps. Albio Sires (D-8), Bill Pascrell (D-9), and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-10), as well as eight of the nine incumbent county freeholders.
Only Freeholder Joel Torres (D-4) did not receive support from the group that backed him three years ago, with Yraida Aponte-Lipski getting the nod instead.
In a tweet this morning, Hector Oseguera, Sires’ declared primary opponent, slammed the idea of creating a separate column, writing that this maneuver was being considered out of fear that a “progressive line” would enable some candidates to get elected without HCDO support.
Hunterdon and Morris County Dems opted for a convention to endorse all primary candidates, while Essex County Dems appear to leaning towards Menendez’s suggestion of an open primary as well.
