Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon is going against against the grain by supporting three candidates running off the Hudson County Democratic Organization line in the July 7th primary, including endorsing Hector Oseguera in the 8th District congressional race.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am proud to endorse Oseguera2020 for Congress because, as Congresswoman Ayana Pressley said, ‘change can’t wait.’ Hector will tirelessly champion working people and progressive policies,” the Downtown councilman posted on social media early this morning.
“He will be a Representative who is accessible and accountable to the people, not the political establishment.”
Solomon is the first elected official to support an opponent of U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), who expectedly has the backing of the state’s top Democrats and the HCDO.
His endorsement also comes hours after one of his colleagues, Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera, threw his support behind the congressman.
While Oseguera is still clearly the underdog, the Politico Playbook wrote this morning that the 8th District was the New Jersey congressional race has “highest possibility of an incumbent upset in the primary.”
Furthermore, Solomon endorsed Freeholder Jerry Walker, Eleana Little, and Ron Bautista, in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, freeholder districts, respectively.
“Jerry Freeholder Walker in District 3. Jerry is as a man committed to our community. His work with Team Walker is second to none. Eleana is an inspiring advocate for a more just, greener Hudson County. On the Freeholder board, she’ll fight for criminal justice reform and anti-corruption policies,” he also wrote.
“Ron’s fight for affordable housing and safe, accessible streets is personal. He’s in politics to ensure his young daughter Sofia grows up in a county that works for all, not just the politically connected.”
Little is challenging Yraida Aponte-Lipski, while Bautista is taking on longtime incumbent Anthony “Stick” Romano.
Mike Solimon, a political advisor to several Hudson elected leaders, expectedly panned Solomon for throwing his support behind candidates running off the line.
“Congressman Sires has always fought for progressive causes and working families and has stood up to Donald Trump. It’s a shame that James Solomon would abandon a progressive champion like Congressman Sires and his freeholder team – not to mention his own values – to pander for votes.”
Like the HCDO, Solomon also backed Joe Biden for president and Cory Booker for U.S. Senate.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a comment from political advisor Mike Solimon.
