West New York Revenue and Finance Commissioner Margarita Guzman confirmed this morning that she’ll run on Public Affairs Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo’s slate, less than four days after he announced his bid for mayor.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am extremely proud to support Commissioner Cosmo A. Cirillo, Ph.D. in his bid to become the next Mayor of the Town of West New York. During the past eight years we’ve served together, it is clear that his drive, determination and passion revolve around helping our residents and moving our Town in a positive direction,” Guzman said in a statement.
“As someone who immigrated here from the Dominican Republic, I understand the challenges our immigrant community faces and bring a unique perspective to the governing body. We need a Mayor that will be accessible to our community and he has demonstrated time and time again that he is more than capable of putting in the necessary hard work for the betterment of our Town. I look forward to working with him and our entire West New York Forward Team during the campaign.”
Guzman and Cirillo both ran on the New Beginnings West New York team headed by Gabriel Rodriguez in 2019, ousting then-Mayor Felix Roque and his team in a clean sweep.
HCV noted on Thursday as part of Cirillo’s announcement that Guzman was expected to run on his slate.
With Rodriguez seeking a state Assembly seat in the new 33rd Legislative District headed by state Senator Brian Stack, his godfather and political mentor Albio Sires, a former three-term mayor who is retiring from the House after eight terms, will be Cirillo’s opponent.
Sires has not made his candidacy official yet and has therefore not named any running mates, though if the other two incumbents – Commissioner Yoleisy Yanez and Victor Barrera – decided to seek re-election, they will be on his ticket, sources said.
Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, who currently represents the 32nd Legislative District which will largely become the new 33rd after redistricting, is considered a long shot to run off the line and is another probable running mate for Cirillo.
North Bergen Commissioner Julio Marenco is expected to round out the LD-33 ticket with Stack and Rodriguez, leaving Jimenez and incumbent Assemblyman Pedro Mejia without a place to go on the line.
Lost my vote if Guzman stays on Cosmos ticket. She is dead weight. Waste of a pick.
Albio Ticket Better choice so far.
Just hope Albio doesn’t bring in his past evil doers as dept heads. There is already a bunch of them.