In Kearny’s 3rd Ward, Fred Esteves defeated Councilman Renato da Silva in yesterday’s Democratic primary in a race that saw just under 600 ballots cast.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Esteves, the vice chair of the Kearny Regular Democratic Organization, secured just over 56 percent with 336 votes, compared to slightly under 44 percent, or 262 votes, for da Silva, according to tallies from the Hudson County Clerk’s Office.
While he has never held office before, Esteves has previously served on the town’s urban enterprise zone (UEZ) and planning board. In this election, he had the endorsement of the local Democrats, including Mayor Carol Jean Doyle.
The council will remain a 6-3 board where the majority are not political allies of the new mayor, who was the prior 3rd Ward council representative and council president before being elected to the town’s top post in November.
In the November 5th general election, Esteves, the brother-in-law of longtime mayor and now Hudson County Superior Court Judge Al Santos, will be favored against Republican nominee Jorge dos Santos.
Doyle had sought to appoint Esteves in December, but he did not have the votes and the appointment instead ended up going to da Silva.
The Kearny 3rd Ward council seat will have to be defended twice again next year in June and November.
