Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez (D-West New York) has abruptly resigned his $140,000-a-year job as an accounting manager for the West New York Board of Education after the superintendent of schools, Clara Herrera, got on his back for high absenteeism, the New Jersey Globe has learned.
Three sources with direct knowledge of the matter, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Rodriguez didn’t like being pressured to show up at work every day in West New York, and that he had ignored personal improvement plans to enhance his attendance and job performance. His resignation appeared to come out of nowhere.
Rodriguez’s $82,000-a-year Assembly seat in the 33rd legislative district isn’t in danger right now, but it could depend on how the immediate future plays out.
His fight with Herrera puts a longtime mentor, Mayor Albio Sires, in a tough spot: Rodriguez was in his twenties when Sires, then the Assembly Speaker, hired him as an aide. Herrera is also a close ally of Sires.
Sires, West New York Mayor Richard Turner, and Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack have a significant North Hudson political alliance, and the fight could tie Stack’s hands if West New York wants someone else.
When Sires served in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rodriguez spent over nine years on his congressional staff. Sires backed him for West New York commissioner in 2015, for mayor in 2019 — Sires raised over $150,000 to help Rodriguez unseat incumbent Felix Roque — and for the legislature in 2023. Sires, who retired from Congress in 2022, was again elected mayor to succeed Rodriguez.
Rodriguez did not respond to voice mail and text messages on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
