Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli gained several endorsements on Sunday in Hudson County, one of the most Democratic areas in New Jersey. The endorsements came from North Bergen Commissioner Allen Pascual and West New York Commissioner Marcos Arroyo, two officials who represent communities in North Hudson.
After the announcement, Ciattarelli said that the growing support from Democrats shows a shift in voter sentiment. He stated that the election is not for party loyalty but for finding solutions to fix New Jersey’s problems and make the state more affordable for families.
Hudson County, the fourth-most populous county in the state, includes large cities such as Jersey City, Hoboken, and Secaucus. It has long been considered a Democratic stronghold, often giving wide margins to Democratic candidates in statewide elections. However, the most recent data shows that voter turnout in the county dropped from 61% to 52% between election cycles. In the last presidential race, Donald Trump lost in the county by a 34.4% to 62.3% margin, but the lower turnout helped narrow the statewide gap.
- Republican Jack Ciattarelli received endorsements from North Bergen Commissioner Allen Pascual, West New York Commissioner Marcos Arroyo, and former local leaders Sal Vega and Alberto Rodriguez.
- Hudson County, a long-time Democratic stronghold, is showing signs of division among party leaders as the gubernatorial race narrows.
- Polls show Democrat Mikie Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 3.3 percentage points with less than a month before Election Day.
North Hudson Officials Endorse Ciattarelli
Commissioner Allen Pascual, who has served in North Bergen since 2002, said his endorsement was based on Ciattarelli’s focus on affordability, integrity, and public safety. Pascual described Ciattarelli as someone who understands what working families and small businesses need, and who stands behind law enforcement and community service. He added that it was time to make New Jersey affordable again and said he was proud to stand with Ciattarelli to build a stronger future for residents.
Marcos Arroyo, elected to the West New York Commission in 2023, also gave his support. Both officials emphasized that their decision was about leadership and results rather than political party.
Ciattarelli’s support continued to grow when he received endorsements from former West New York Mayor and Assemblyman Sal Vega and former West New York Commissioner Alberto Rodriguez. Vega, who served as a freeholder, mayor, and assemblyman, ran for a State Senate seat in 2007 with backing from the Hudson County Democratic Committee but lost to Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian Stack, who won 77% to 23%.
Sources within the county indicated that North Bergen Commissioner Anthony Vainieri Jr., a former Hudson County Democratic Chairman and current Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, was also expected to endorse Ciattarelli soon, possibly within the week.
Democratic Party Faces Internal Divisions
The endorsements for Ciattarelli arrived at a time of internal conflict within Hudson County’s Democratic Party. Earlier this year, a dispute broke out between Union City Mayor Brian Stack and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco over competing Assembly slates. Stack’s faction ultimately won, exposing deeper tensions among local Democrats.
At the same time, county Democrats remain split over which candidate to support for governor: Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a well-known local figure, or Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). The lack of consensus has left room for Republican outreach in traditionally Democratic communities.
Polls have also shown a tightening race. According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Sherrill holds only a 3.3-point lead over Ciattarelli. With less than a month remaining before Election Day, the narrowing margin has raised concerns among national Democratic leaders, who see Hudson County as a key base of support.
Democrats Push Back Behind Mikie Sherrill
In response to Ciattarelli’s momentum, Craig Guy, the Hudson County Executive and Democratic Organization Chair, reaffirmed strong local support for Mikie Sherrill. He said enthusiasm for her campaign was visible throughout the county, noting large crowds during a recent parade where “tens of thousands of people” turned out to show support.
Guy criticized those Democrats who endorsed Ciattarelli, calling them “DINOs,” or Democrats in name only. He pointed to what he described as their record of failed campaigns, including the “failed candidacy of Frank Schillari,” and questioned whether some of them even still identified as Democrats or Hudson County residents.
He stated that under his leadership, every municipality in Hudson County was united behind Mikie Sherrill and described the Democratic headquarters as energized, with new volunteers signing up daily, phone banks at full capacity, and teams actively canvassing neighborhoods.
