U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), state Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco and a number of their political allies are publicly voicing their support for Jersey City Board of Education Trustee Amy DeGise to be the next chair of the Hudson County Dems.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I’m so proud to have the support of some of the most important leaders in our county who all recognize the need to bring progressive new leadership to the Hudson County Democratic Organization,†DeGise said in a statement.
“Over the next four weeks I will be working non-stop to secure additional support from committee members.â€
Amy DeGise, the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, announced she would be challenging state Senator (D-32)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack to run the HCDO last night.
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, Kearny Mayor Al Santos, Harrison Mayor James Fife, Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt, East Newark Mayor Joe Smith and Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli are the mayors joining Sacco and DeGise in the endorsement.
Jersey City Councilmen Rich Boggiano and Michael Yun, West New York Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32), Freeholder Caridad Rodriguez (D-7), Commissioners Cosmo Cirillo, Margarita Guzman and Gabriel Rodriguez, along with Hoboken Council members Ruben Ramos and Jen Giattino round out the electeds backing DeGise (her father is of course supporting her as well).
Finally, former Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, ex-Asssembly members Joan Quigley and Sean Connors, and former Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski round out the endorsement.
The support is nearly identical to when Sacco and Sires got behind Tom DeGise’s re-election next year as Stack and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop attempt to replace him.
Amy DeGise became the candidate after Davis wouldn’t back Jersey City teacher Kristen Zadroga Hart to challenge Stack since she called for his resignation in light of sexting allegations during her failed bid for an Assembly seat last year.
Whoever is voted in to succeed former state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto as the HCDO chair on June 12th will have their hands full given the tense political climate and the fact that the HCDO is currently in nearly $47,000 worth of debt.
