Governor Phil Murphy (D), U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) and state Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Nick Sacco all stressed the need to re-elect U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) at Sacco’s annual mayoral ball last night.
“I am on the ballot with Senator Menendez and Assemblyman Mejia and I would like for you, before you cast your vote, to think how important this election is,” Sires began during a speech at the Venetian catering hall in Garfield last night – the regular spot for Sacco’s ball.
“If you’re interested in fair wages, if you’re interested in protecting the Medicare, if you’re interested in protecting social security, the column A ticket: Bob Menendez, Sires and Mejia are the people you want to vote for.”
As everyone did the best to try and grab the attention of the 1,000 plus politicos in attendance during the 30-minute program, speaker after speaker continued to emphasize Menendez re-election – though Murphy was particularly energized during his remarks.
“Albio Sires is on the ballot next month. Bob Menendez is on the ballot next month. These are pass-fail elections. We must re-elect Hudson County’s own Senator Bob Menendez,” the governor said to cheers and applause.
“So knock on the doors, get your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers [to vote]: this is a stark choice – Bob Menendez is for us, the other guy is against us. Bob Menendez stands up for New Jersey, the other guys stands up for Donald Trump: it’s black and white! Bob Menendez!”
Approaching the podium as “Eye of the Tiger” blared in the background, Sacco said this general election reminded him of a bitter campaign in 1993, where the Hudson Dems were triumphant. Needless to say, he is hoping history repeats itself.
“We have our friend, our good friend, Bob Menendez, up for re-election: we have to win. We have to come out in North Bergen and our areas strong to carry this state. We have faith in each and every one of you that we’re gonna do it for our friend, our senator: Bob Menendez.”
The senior senator faces a game, well-funded opponent in former Celgene CEO Bob Hugin, who has closed the gap to within two to 11 percentage points, depending on various polls results that were released this week.
North Bergen operative Joey Muniz served as the emcee for the event.
The laundry list of dignitaries on hand included Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32), Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, County Executive Tom DeGise, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, East Newark Mayor Joseph Smith, Harrison Mayor James Fife, Hoboken Council members Ruben Ramos, Mike DeFusco and Tiffanie Fisher, Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise, West New York Commissioners Cosmo Cirillo, Gabriel Rodriguez and Margarita Guzman, Freeholders Anthony Vainieri (D-8), Anthony Romano (D-5) and Caridad Rodriguez (D-7), North Bergen Commissioners Frank Gargiulo, Hugo Cabrera, Julio Marenco and Allen Pascual, Bergen County Democratic Committee Chair Lou Stellato, former West New York Mayor Sal Vega, ex-Freeholder Jose Munoz, former Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, among many, many others.
The full program, which streamed live on our Facebook page, can be viewed below:
