West New York Mayor Felix Roque is done trying to play nice with U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), saying that he “100 percent invested in running, 100 percent invested in winning” a re-election bid in May 2019 – despite the plans the incumbent congressman may have.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is a complete betrayal. I’m doing what I can to distance myself from Jonathan Castaneda, Caridad Rodriguez and Albio Sires,” Roque said over the phone just hours removed from Sires opening his campaign headquarters in West New York.
Roque, already seething from being considered an afterthought at the event, told Hudson County View that he got pushed over the edge when he heard that Castaneda, his former chief of staff, was using his fundraising mailing list for his board of education slate.
Castaneda, a West New York BOE trustee, is seeking re-election on November 6th with Adrienne Sires, the congressman’s wife, and Joseph Rodriguez, the freeholder’s husband.
“The purpose of this letter is to advise you that my fundraising mailing list has been hijacked by a particular group of candidates know as ‘Your Children’s Future’ who are running for the West New York Board of Education this November 4th, 2018,” the mayor said in an email blast minutes ago.
“Driven by greed and power these one-time supporters of my administration are circulating their propaganda to my list of loyal supporters. Please know that these deceitful actions have not authorized by me. Simply put, the use of this list is just another act of betrayal by these candidates and the outside forces behind them.”
As previously noted, Roque is not particularly impressed with Castaneda or his team, claiming that Adrienne Sires “quit” on the residents of West New York back in 2013 when she resigned from the board.
The congressman said back in March that he plans on taking Roque out of office next year, later claiming that Roque was finished after Amy DeGise was elected chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization in June.
The mayor said up to this point, he wasn’t sure if he was going to run again, but the recent turn of events has helped him make up his mind.
“The fact that Albio Sires says that he’s gonna pick the next mayor is a little bit too ballsy, a little distasteful: the residents select the mayor, not the congressman. I’m 100% invested in running, I’m 100% invested in winning and I’m gonna win,” Roque exclaimed.
