A pastor at a popular West New York church has dropped out of the November 6th board of education race ahead of Monday’s ballot drawing.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Father Carlo Fortunio, the pastor a the Holy Redeemer Parish located at 569 65th St., has withdrawn from the race, according to Hudson County Supervisor of Elections Hilda Rosario.
He did not provide a specific reason as to why he was backing out of the race, but sources, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said ranking members of his congregation felt the position was too political and it would be a disservice to them if he ran.
Fortunio had filed as part of the “WNY Cares” team alongside Jesus Aristy and BOE Trustee Lorena Portillo.
The slate initially was widely believed to have been backed by Mayor Felix Roque, but he told Hudson County View that was not the case last month.
Prior to Fortunio’s withdrawal, this year’s West New York BOE contest was set to feature three separate, three-person slates slugging it out in the fall.
The “Your Children’s Future” ticket backed by U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), a former West New York mayor, which includes his wife, Adrienne Sires, Joseph Rodriguez, the husband of Freeholder Caridad Rodriguez (D-7), and BOE Trustee Jonathan Castaneda, currently appear to be the frontrunners.
Trustee Matthew Cheng is not seeking re-election.
