State Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco packed out his annual ball at the Venetian last night, with jockeying for key races in 2024 and 2025 on full display.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I know when I’m in Saccoland, I know my place in the world, but tonight is the honor for Mayor Sacco and his team and I’m happy to be here,” said Democratic nominee for Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, who does not have a Republican opponent next month.
“It’s Saccoland, let’s go! I am proud to say that the Hudson County Democratic Organization is stronger than ever thanks to Nick Sacco and the leadership he gives us and the county committee of North Bergen that produces the most votes in the Hudson County delegation: Thank you Mayor Sacco for that!” exclaimed HCDO Chair Anthony Vainieri.
He also said that Hudson is excited to support the next governor of New Jersey, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who arrived late due to another commitment (more on that later).
Also introduced at the podium by emcee Joey Muniz was U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8), who looked and sounded about as fired up as he’s ever been ahead of a potential primary showdown with Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who was also in attendance, next year.
“North Bergen, it is great to be here with you, this is one of my favorite events every year. The turnout every year, but this year especially, for your mayor, Nick Sacco, who is nothing short of incredible,” he shouted to applause.
“This event is a reflection of a life and a career dedicated to the community this man loves, he has put North Bergen on his back his entire career and he’s not stopping any time soon, your mayor: Nick Sacco! It is an honor to get to serve in Congress! It is an honor to get to serve Hudson County, but it is a special honor to work alongside your mayor to bring home the resources for North Bergen …”
As political headlines continue to form around the federal bribery indictment of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), that black cloud didn’t seem to make it over to Garfield last night, even with the senator’s son as a key note speaker.
Approximately 2,400 came out in support of Sacco and enjoyed the uncharacteristically warm October weather, buffet, open bar, and political discussions.
A township commissioner since 1985 and the mayor since 1991, Sacco, as usual, was succinct in his remarks to the crowd on hand.
“If I believed half the things I heard, I’d be canonized, I haven’t heard the pope call me yet to see if that’s gonna take place. But I will say this: We put a team together in North Bergen and our departments and our county community and our workers and our commissioner have made this town so much better than what it was when I came here in 1974,” Sacco began.
“We made this town one that people should emulate: when people were firing police officers, we enlarged our police force. We worked hard in public works, all our departments. Our taxes were less than one percent on the town level. We did this through hard work, through cooperation, and I thank each and every one of you for being part of this.”
Now, what about the implications of the governor’s race with a primary 19 months away?
In what was arguably the most draw dropping moment of the evening, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), who recently ruled out a run for Senate, bought a ticket and attended the VIP portion of the Sacco soiree.
And while she didn’t cross paths with Fulop, who was at the Hunterdon County Democrats event that also featured Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, the local mayor worked the room after the program ended, chatting it up with a number of familiar faces from Hudson County.
With the aforementioned three other potential Democratic candidates looking likely to have their eyes on Drumthwacket, along with U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), no one should take any vote for granted.
Others in attendance included Sheriff Frank Schillari, County Commissioners Anthony Romano (D-5), the board chair, and Bob Baselice (D-8) Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, East Newark Mayor Dina Grillo, Assemblyman Will Sampson (D-31), Hoboken 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32), Bayonne Councilman-at-Large Loyad Booker, North Bergen Commissioner Allen Pascual, Claudia Rodriguez, and Hugo Cabrera, North Bergen Democratic Committee Chair John Belluardo, Democratic Assembly nominees John Allen, Jessica Ramirez (both D-32), and Julio Marenco (D-33), former North Bergen Commissioner Frank Gargiulo, former West New York Commissioners Gerry Lange and Cosmo Cirillo.
At least the democratic socialists have principles.
Lot of white sauce was spilled on the Floors that night. Poor person who had to clean up after that Party.
Lot NB BOE peeps there also. That was a good to see whom enjoyed it the most.