While the Jersey City Democratic Organization (JCDO) members from Hudson County’s 3rd District were set to vote on a successor for now-Assemblyman Jerry Walker (D-3) on the board of commissioners last night, the heavy snowstorm delayed the meeting.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
Last week, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation indicated that Celeste Williams will likely be appointed the next Hudson County commissioner with Walker now serving in Trenton, as HCV first reported.
Williams is the founder and CEO of Jersey City non-profit Caring Capable Hands, which aims to “redirect youth behaviors and reduce recidivism by offering interventions and social services,” according to the organization’s mission statement.
In order for anyone to be appointed to the seat, they must get voted in by the JCDO’s members of the 3rd District, who were scheduled to meet on January 26th.
However, due to the massive snowfall, yesterday’s meeting was cancelled and has been rescheduled for this Thursday, January 29th.
If Williams receives the nomination as expected, she could be appointed and sworn into the board of commissioners as soon as the next meeting after that, which would be the February 10th caucus meeting.
Other names had been floating around for the seat, including Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County Executive Director Pam Johnson and Brandi Warren, who finished third and second, respectively, in last year’s Ward A Jersey City council race.
In that contest, Councilwoman Denise Ridley narrowly defeated Warren, who ran with former Gov. Jim McGreevey, in November before winning convincingly in December with the backing of Johnson, who was part of Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s (D-2) slate.
After County Executive Craig Guy and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon could not reach a consensus, Walker, who had previously recommended Warren, suggested Williams.
O’Dea said the idea is that Williams would be a “caretaker” for the remainder of Walker’s term and “would not run” in the June 2nd Democratic primary, similar to what happened when Maureen Hulings was appointed to the Jersey City Ward B council seat last year.
At a recent unrelated press conference, Solomon indicated he would likely back a candidate prior to the committee vote, but did not commit to anyone in particular yet.
“I will probably support a candidate for the committee vote … When we decide who we’re supporting, we’ll let folks know.”
