North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco completed his North Bergen trilogy with Larry Wainstein by securing a nearly 3-to-1 victory this evening as his board of commissioners slate pulled off a clean sweep.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Also the state senator of the 32nd Legislative District, Sacco, 76, was seeking his 11th term in municipal office: he was elected commissioner in 1985 and then mayor in 1991.
“I was hoping that the people of North Bergen would appreciate the government that they have under my leadership and they obviously did. They came out, they voted, and we got about 72 percent of the vote plus on the machines and I’m really happy with it,” Sacco told HCV at his victory party at the Waterside restaurant last night.
When asked where this ranks among his previous 10 elections, Sacco said he “enjoyed this one a great deal” since he was met with a great reception at the doors by numerous residents, which made it “a fun campaign.”
While he declined to make any commitments about seeking re-election in 2027, he said that he has plans to expand and renovate their schools, along with upgrading the parks at 46th and 67th Streets, during his next four-year term.
“I feel very satisfied tonight and it’s not easy to make me feel satisfied. I’m always looking to the future.”
He ran alongside Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, Parks and Public Property Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Anthony Vainieri, and Board of Education Trustee Claudia Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is the first Latina commissioner to be elected in North Bergen history.
“I’m very proud, my family is very proud, the commissioners gave me a beautiful welcome: I’m gonna make history and I love it,” she said.
Vainieri is a former Hudson County Board of Commissioners chair, the longest serving county board chair of all time – tied with former West New York Mayor Sal Vega.
This is his first time holding municipal office and sets him up to run for mayor at some point in the future.
“This is super exciting, the people have spoken, again, and they say that they want us running the government. We have a great mayor and with the team now, with Anthony Vainieri and Claudia Rodriguez, we’re gonna do even more things,” added Cabrera.
In 2015, Wainstein lost by a margin of roughly 67-33 and then by about 69-31 in 2019. He has spent heavily in this race, investing over half a million dollars of his own money, though it didn’t appear to make a difference at the end of the day.
“My family and I thank you for the faith and support you always give me. Yesterday was an emotional day, but I hope the emotion you hold in your heart is a victorious one,” Wainstein wrote on Instagram.
“I treasure your love, friendship, and support. It is a blessing to consider you part of my family.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information.