Hudson County Democratic leaders, including a group of political veterans and new progressive leaders, have joined together to endorse a unity slate of candidates for county office in the June primary – a move that brings together Craig Guy and Brian P. Stack with Jersey City Mayor James Solomon and the entire Hudson legislative delegation, including Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla.
The group – seemingly the new Hudson Democratic Organization – is endorsing six incumbents and three newcomers for county commissioner, and incumbent Jeffrey Dublin for Register of Deeds and Mortgages.
The incumbents are Kenny Kopacz (D-Bayonne) in District 1, Bill O’Dea (D-Jersey City) in District 2, , Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-Jersey City) in District 4, Fanny Cedeno (D-Union City) in District 6, Caridad Rodriguez (D-West New York) in District 7, and Robert Baselice (D-North Bergen) in District 8.
For open seats, the coalition supports Pamela Johnson of Jersey City in District 3, Ron Bautista of Hoboken in District 5, and Alex Valdez in District 9. The incumbents — Celeste Williams in District 3, Anthony “Stick” Romano (District 5), and Albert Cifelli (District 9) – are not seeking re-election.
“I have been consistent since being elected Hudson County Democratic Chair that I wanted to increase our Party’s participation and put forward candidates that reflect our diversity and our shared values,” said Guy, the Hudson County Democratic chairman and County Executive.
Solomon, who became Jersey City mayor in January, said the slate represents “the best of Hudson County Democrats, and are a historically diverse and progressive set of candidates.”
“These are leaders who reflect our community, share our values, and are laser-focused on making Hudson County more affordable for working families,” Solomon said. “When Democrats come together like this, we get things done.
Solomon praised the partnership that includes Stack, the mayor of Union City and a state senator, Mayors Albio Sires of West New York, Richard Turner of Weehawken, Emily Jabbour of Hoboken, Robert Kubert of Bayonne, Wayne Zitt of Guttenberg, Carol Jean Doyle of Kearny, and Michael Gonnelli of Secaucus.
Also in the group endorsing the unity ticket are State Sens. Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City), Angela McKnight (D-Jersey City), Assemblymen Gabe Rodriguez (D-West New York), Larry Wainstein (D-North Bergen), Jerry Walker (D-Jersey City), and William Sampson (D-Bayonne), County Clerk Junior Maldonado, Sheriff Jimmy Davis, and Rep. Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City).
“We look forward to working around the clock and ensuring that voters make it to the polls on Election Day,” stated Stack. “Constituent services and fighting for residents have been the hallmark of my public service and I look forward to working alongside this team to continue to deliver for the people of Hudson County.”
Mukjerji, the first Indian-Bengali legislator in U.S. history and chairman-elect of the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators, praised a ticket that reflects Hudson County’s “extraordinary diversity and lifts up candidates who will stand up for working families and for those too often ignored.”
“From proven Democratic incumbents who have long delivered for Hudson County to a rising generation of progressive leaders, including a proud immigrant who was undocumented in his youth, this is a slate that knows what it means to struggle and to fight at a time when we need it most,” said Mukherji.
In the Hoboken-based District 5, Bautista is making his third bid for county commissioner. He came within 235 votes of ousting Romano in 2023 after Romano won with 61% in 2020.
“This is what it looks like to build a bigger tent and embrace young, independent leaders,” said Brennan, a freshman assemblywoman. “Ron Bautista is a proud Working Families Party Democrat who’s been organizing on transit and housing issues for years. He’s going to bring real energy and accountability to county government.”
Jabbour said “Hoboken’s strength comes from its diversity, and that should be reflected in our County leadership.”
“I’m proud to support a diverse ticket for Hudson County that is focused on delivering real results for residents. I’m especially proud to support Ron Bautista,” she said. “We share a commitment to investing in infrastructure, creating safer streets, and strengthening the partnership between Hoboken and Hudson County to keep moving our Mile Square City forward.”
In District 8, Baselice has the support of Stack despite being part of North Bergen Mayor Nichoas Sacco’s team. But Sacco was not included on the list of Democratic officials backing the unity slate.
Williams won a special election convention earlier this year as a caretaker after Walker resigned to become an assemblyman.
In District 9, which includes East Newark, Harris, Kearny, Secaucus, and part of Jersey City, Valdez, a retired sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard and non-profit activist from Kearny,
“Electing responsive public officials from the different democratic factions, whether moderate or progressive, is what makes Hudson County the shining star that it is and will always continue to be,” Maldonado stated. “These are leaders that bring varied perspectives to policy-making and will work diligently towards addressing the immediate needs of residents through efficient, local county government services.
According to Maldonado, the unity slate signifies a “strategic technique for continuing to enhance Hudson’s reputation and effectiveness in making it the premier county in the State of New Jersey.”
“Now more than ever, we need strong fighters at every level of government to deliver for our communities,” said Menendez. “I am confident that the Hudson County Democratic slate will do just that.
Walker said he was “proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting a strong, united slate focused on affordability, safety, and progress for Hudson County.”
“Our strength as Democrats comes from working together, uplifting every voice, and staying grounded in the values of fairness, opportunity, and community,” said Walker. “When we stand united, we are best positioned to deliver real results for the people we serve.”
Bhalla applauded the changes.
“Government works best when it makes room for new voices and new ideas, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here” he said. “Ron Bautista is part of a new generation of leaders ready to meet the moment. He has a strong track record as a community advocate here in Hoboken, he always sticks to his principles, and our county government will be better for it.
