Some Hudson Dems put differences aside in Hoboken to get the vote out for Sherrill

A handful of Hudson County Democratic elected officials put their differences aside in Hoboken yesterday in an effort to get the vote out for U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), the Democratic nominee for governor.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

Katie Brennan, a Democratic nominee for state Assembly in the 32nd Legislative District who ran without the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) in the primary, stood with party Chair Craig Guy and Hoboken city council members.

“In Hudson County, we have a lot of Democrats here, and we know we really have to show up: This is bigger than any of us … It is about making sure that at the end of the day, New Jersey stays blue,” she explained outside of Hoboken City Hall.

Brennan noted that now is the time for warring Democratic factions to put their differences aside, which Hoboken mayoral opponents seemed to agree with since Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos were all present.

She also felt that Sherrill would be better for the state than Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli on key issues like affordable housing and transit.

“Let’s go for Sherrill,” Brennan concluded to applause.

“It is so important we elect Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic woman no less,” Guy, also the county executive, declared. He also highlighted that the recent struggles with the PATH.

“Mikie is committed to improving our path system. Mikie is committed to improving our NJ Transit, which is in flux … This is one of the most important elections that we’re going to see, folks, in the next 10 to 20 years.”

Guy also claimed that county residents are already fed up with President Donald Trump (R) and his administration’s policies.

“We all see what he is doing to our country and our state. He stopped the tunnel, the new tunnel,” he said of the seeming demise of the Gateway Tunnel project, which he said was 20 percent complete before Trump waved it off.

Hoboken Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero, who is seeking re-election on Jabbour’s ticket, is also the chair of the Hoboken Democratic Committee. While he admitted local politics “is a blood sport,” that’s small potatoes compared to getting Sherrill elected governor.

“Today, for a time being, we’re putting our swords away for … a unified voice. Jack cannot stand in Hoboken or New Jersey: It’s the most consequential Governor’s race we’ve ever had,” Quintero said.

During her remarks, Fisher said that it is critical to get voters to the polls, arguing that Ciattarelli would be bad for Hoboken since he would cut school funding to their pubic schools.

“He does not want to support the needs of our community. Who we elect as Governor has a big impact on our community: I hope everyone goes out and votes,” she added.

“This election, in terms of supporting Mikie, is very critical,” exclaimed Jabbour, adding that “our most vulnerable populations” can’t deal with a Ciattarelli administration right now, given that he has the full support of Trump.

She also mentioned that SNAP benefits funding cuts could come as soon as November 1st due to the lingering federal government shutdown.

“He doesn’t care about that. That’s not a priority for him,” Jabbour said of Ciattarelli. “We have to stand up for Hudson County,” she declared.

Additionally, Ramos noted he was in the state Assembly when former Republican Gov. Chris Christie was in office.

“I witnessed firsthand the decimation Republican education politics had in the state of New Jersey, and we can’t go back to that I served with Republicans in the statehouse and they don’t see Hoboken as worthy of funding,” he asserted.

“ … That is unacceptable for Hoboken. That is why we need a Democratic governor. That’s why we need Sherrill,” Ramos added.

Furthermore, Brennan noted she is running for state Assembly alongside Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and pledged to fight for school funding if elected.

“We will make sure all those tax dollars that we send are invested in the things that we need, like transit,” she said.

5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who has endorsed Jabbour for mayor, also joined the festivities.

“If you care about a woman’s right to choose … Mikie Sherrill needs to be in the statehouse. If you care about queer community and you believe gay marriage is something that is established … Jack Ciattarelli cannot be the governor of New Jersey,” he stated.

“We need to vote blue … We need to support our Democratic slate. The eyes of the nation are looking at New Jersey now. This is not just a local election. This is a national election. If you care to step up and stop Donald Trump and what’s happening in this country, we can do that today,” he argued.

Brennan concluded the rally by leading a cheer for Sherrill.