With a popular local pastor out of the race, Paul Toomey has entered the West New York Board of Education race, giving “WNY Cares” a full three-person slate again.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Toomey’s entry into the race was confirmed by the Hudson County Clerk’s Office, who prepared the ballots for all the local board of education races earlier this week.
Hudson County Supervisor of Elections Hilda Rosario said state law allowed time for a vacant ballot position in a school board race to be filled.
“In accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:13-19 it allows Nomination Petition filing deadline for new nomination petition to fill a new vacancy for Independent Candidates and School Election candidates for the General Election,” she told HCV in an email.
As only Hudson County View reported, Father Carlo Fortunio dropped out of the race earlier this month, leaving WNY Cares, which consisted of Trustee Lorena Portillo and Jesus Aristy, temporarily down a man.
They have since filled that void, again making the race three separate slates competing for three, three-year terms on the board.
Trustee Jonathan Castaneda is running on the “Your Children’s Future” ticket along with Adrienne Sires, the wife of U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8), as well as Joe Rodriguez, the husband of Freeholder Caridad Rodriguez (D-7).
Meanwhile, first time candidates Richard Acosta, George Payan and Cheryl Barona have joined forces to form the “WNY Independents” slate, boasting no political ties to local elected officials.