Seeking “fresh and progressive leadership,” former Bayonne councilwoman and ex-Board of Education Trustee Mary Jane Desmond will challenge Mayor Jimmy Davis to become the chair of the local Democratic committee.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Desmond, also a former deputy county clerk and acting county clerk, cited complacency among the Bayonne City Regular Democratic Organization, with no efforts to support federal leaders, fundraise, or register new voters.
She also chided the decision to throw Assembly Majority Whip Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31) off the Hudson County Democratic Organization line favor of first time candidate William Sampson IV, who was Davis’ pick.
“Possibly the most egregious move was the last-minute decision to replace Bayonne’s current and experienced Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Majority Whip and the third highest ranking Democrat,” Desmond wrote.
“After years of Bayonne and Hudson County working back into a leadership roll at the state level, this novice decision may hugely impact Bayonne’s financial future.”
She continued that she would work to bring “fresh and progressive leadership” that supports candidates at the local, county, statewide, and even national level, as well as introducing a screening process to ensure that only “real Democrats” get the party’s endorsement.
The Bayonne Democrats, which has 102 members, will hold their reorganization meeting at the Catholic War Veterans Post at 18 West 23rd St. on Wednesday evening.
Davis will be seeking a third term as mayor in May so winning by a big plurality here will be imperative to get his re-election bid off on the right foot.
