Former Congressman, state Assembly Speaker, and Mayor Albio Sires unveiled two board of education trustees, one commissioner, and one recent Republican congressional candidate as his running mates in West New York.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am honored to be joined in this campaign by a group of dynamic leaders who represent the diversity of our community and who will each bring their own unique experience and perspective to the Board of Commissioners,” said Sires.
“Serving as Mayor of West New York was the honor of my life in public service and I am excited to return to my adopted hometown to move our community forward. We will need a team on the Board of Commissioners that will work collaboratively with me to deliver for West New York, and I am very confident that Victor, Adam, Marielka and Marcos are the right candidates to make it happen.”
Parkinson, who was elected BOE president for the ninth year in a row last week, was named New Jersey’s School Board Member of the Year last year and is also a teacher in the Weehawken Public Schools.
Diaz, first elected to the school board in 2019, was also reappointed to the BOE last week. Additionally, she serves as a Democratic committeewoman in town, as well as on the public library board.
Furthermore, Parks and Public Property Commissioner Victor Barrera was elected to municipal office in 2019 as part of the Sires-backed “New Beginnings West New York” slate, who was headed by Gabriel Rodriguez, who didn’t seek re-election to seek a state Assembly seat in the new 33rd Legislative District.
Finally, Arroyo most recently ran for the 8th District congressional seat that Sires occupied for 16 years. While Rob Menendez, the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), defeated him with ease in November, Arroyo got 24 percent of the vote district wide.
Coincidentally, Sires first run for office was as a Republican congressional candidate in 1986, and while he came up short, he eventually got elected mayor of West New York in 1995 after three consecutive losses to Anthony M. DeFino.
HCV first mentioned the slate on Twitter shortly before Sires made his announcement in front of the town’s public library.
Election season is entering high gear now, as another former mayor, Felix Roque, announced a bid for a fourth term last week and unveiled former Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Tommy Mannion and real estate professional Carmen Baez.
Public Affairs Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo, who declared a mayoral run last month, has unveiled his full ticket as outgoing Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32), Revenue and Finance Commissioner Margarita Guzman, local coach Hiram Gonzalez, and Walter Lopez, the husband of former Commissioner Michelle Lopez.
The final incumbent, Department of Public Works Commissioner Yoleisy Yanez, will not seek re-election.
The non-partisan West New York municipal races are on May 9th, when voters will select five commissioners who will then choose a mayor amongst themselves.
Wait! Sires endorsed Menendez for Congress, and now Sires has Arroyo, who ran against Menendez 3 months ago, running on his ticket? And the HCDO is going to endorse Sires and Arroyo after they also backed Menendez? That’s absurd!
Isn’t this election non partisan? Its good to see bipartisanship and people working together. Plus its not like Menendez had to actually do anything to win.