Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3) says he’ll run for Congress in the 10th District, which will have a special primary election on July 16th following the passing of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne last month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“There are things I think I can get done in Washington and I think this is my opportunity to do it. Affordability is my number 1 priority, particularly in Jersey City, but for the entire 10th Congressional District,” Walker said over the phone this afternoon.
He said he would like to have a longer conversation about his candidacy, but was in the middle of a walk-a-thon for Team Walker, his local nonprofit organization.
For the time being, Walker, who is in his third term as commissioner and had been rumored to be mulling a bid for Jersey City mayor next year, is the only Hudson County native to jump into the race, where 200 petitions of nomination are due by Friday.
While about half of Jersey City, most prominently Wards A, B, and F, are part of the district, CD-10 has historically been an Essex County-based seat out of Newark, though there are also eight municipalities out of Union County – such as Linden, Roselle, and Hillside.
A former Seton Hall University basketball star, Walker is also a part of the People’s Park Foundation, a nonprofit pushing for active recreation such as a multi-use sports field at Liberty State Park. The group is also linked to Liberty National CEO Paul Fireman.
Newark Council President LaMonica McIver already has the backing of the likes of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor, and New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chair Leroy Jones, who also heads the Essex County Democratic Committee.
Additionally, former East Orange Councilwoman Brittany Claybrooks, who had been the North Jersey political director for U.S. Rep. Andy Kim’s (D-3) Senate campaign, has also declared, with Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and New Jersey Redevelopment Authority COO Darryl Godfrey expected to run.
The special general election for the 10th District congressional seat is set for September 18th.
