With their past differences far in the rearview, West New York Mayor Felix Roque helped fundraise for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s re-election at a private event at Son Cubano this afternoon. 
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Roque, Son Cubano CEO Alex Duran and Mon Group Properties, Inc. President and CEO Dean Mon put their heads together to host today’s brunch event for the senior Senator.
Some dignitaries who dropped in included U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, West New York Commissioners Cosmo Cirillo, Susan Colacurcio and Margarita Guzman.
While it was just over five years ago, only the most staunch North Hudson politicos recall when Roque and Menendez were feuding over the mayor’s short-lived endorsement of state Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13).
Kyrillos was of course challenging Menendez, a former Union City mayor, at the time and it was a cardinal sin for someone from North Hudson of all places to endorse another candidate – probably why Roque, then still a political novice, changed his mind within weeks.
Although Menendez is currently under indictment for alleged acts of bribery and corruption, Politico has reported that the trial (if there is one) won’t get underway any sooner than September 2017.
Menendez has of course denied any wrongdoing and is fully anticipates being re-elected next year. According to a January poll by Qunnipiac University, the Senator still boasts a solid 51 percent approval rating.
On the other hand, Roque hasn’t seen anything that vaguely resembles political opposition since being re-elected in 2015 and has already told Hudson County View he’s looking forward to another successful campaign for mayor in 2019.
