Eleana Little, a community organizer and environmental engineer, has announced her candidacy for Hudson County Executive. She is running as a self-described Progressive Democrat in heavily establishment Democrat-dominated Hudson County.
“I’m running for county executive because I believe that everyday people deserve a government that works for them,” Little said. “I’m committed to making Hudson County a place where everyone–not just a privileged few–can afford to thrive, to raise a family, and to age with dignity.”
Little is the former vice president of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County, as well as the former president of the Harsimus Cove Association. A longtime resident of Hudson County, Little said she has witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by everyday people in the region, from rising rents to rising flood waters, unsafe streets, and an affordability crisis.
Little believes that county government should be working for the people, not just for politicians, their donors, and their privileged allies. She said that’s why she is running for County Executive, to bring real change to Hudson County and put the needs of everyday people first.
With her engineering background, Little said she will prioritize affordable housing, transit infrastructure and safe streets, water and environmental infrastructure, educational infrastructure, and public health infrastructure. She said this in the infrastructure needed for livable communities.
According to Little, she doesn’t take any money from corporate political action committees (PACs), real estate developers, or political bosses. She said her campaign is powered by everyday people who believe that it’s time for a change in Hudson County.
“Eleana is a proven leader whose heart is always with the people. Her grassroots bona fides are second to none, and I am proud to support her candidacy for County Executive,” said activist and former candidate for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District Hector Oseguera.
Most recently, Little unsuccessfully ran for Hudson County Commissioner in 2020. Although she was not on the “county line,” meaning endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, she came close to beating Yraida Aponte-Lipski in the 4th District but ultimately lost by nearly a nine point margin with 4,117 votes for Aponte-Lipski to 3,397 votes for Little.
This election cycle, Little is seeking the top seat at the county level, which may be a tougher feat than her previous run. Incumbent County Executive Tom DeGise is retiring in 2023 and he and the rest of the Hudson County Democratic Organization have backed his long time Chief of Staff Craig Guy to succeed him.
Guy officially kicked off his campaign in September, and it was expected that local Progressive Democrats would back their own candidate to challenge Guy, which has come to fruition with Little.
Election day for County Executive and County Commissioners is June 6, 2023.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
