A potential political war for the ages in North Hudson has been avoided with this morning’s announcement by Senator Nicholas Sacco that he will not run for re-election to his Senate seat in the June, 2023 Democratic Primary election. Instead, the longtime Senator has becided to concentrate on running North Bergen in his role as Mayor and he has publicly endorsed Senator Brian Stack for re-election.
This has all come about due to last week’s New Jersey Apportionment Commission’s redrawing of the state’s Legislative boundaries. The redistricting placed both Sacco and Stack in the same Legislative District, the new 33rd District. Sacco’s current 32nd District will no longer include North Bergen next year. Rather, it has shifted into the 33rd District.
According to a press release issued this morning, after serving in the State Senate since 1994, Sacco decided not to run for re-election several months ago after consulting with family and close friends. This decision was made long before the new districts were drawn and he was placed into the same district as his colleague, Senator Brian Stack.
That decision “not to run for re-election,” having being made several months ago, was never made public to the best of this reporter’s knowledge.
“Although I had planned to announce that I will not seek re-election to the State Senate in my own time at a later date, it’s important to send a clear message now that Hudson County Democrats will remain united and to put any speculation about a divisive and unnecessary primary next year to rest,” said Sacco.
Senator Sacco says it has been an “honor and privilege” to serve in the legislature but that he plans to focus his efforts on his role leading the Township of North Bergen as Mayor. That’s why he is very pleased to announce his support of Senator Stack in next year’s election.
“Now that North Bergen is in the 33rd district, I can’t think of a better person to represent our community than Brian Stack,” says Sacco. “Knowing that Brian will be there to fight for North Bergen and the entire district makes this endorsement an easy decision. Brian shares my commitment to public service and making government work for people, and he understands the demands of municipal government and the need for state government to deliver for our residents. I am proud to endorse Brian Stack and look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
Senator Stack thanked Senator Sacco for his endorsement, saying, “Nick Sacco is one of the most important leaders in our Democratic Party and I greatly value his experience, his judgment and his friendship. By making this announcement, Senator Sacco is demonstrating his steadfast dedication to the people of Hudson County and to our Democratic Party. I appreciate his endorsement very much, and I plan to fully support him and his team in their local re-election campaign next year in North Bergen.”
Both State Senators not happy with the way Hudson County was treated by the Apportionment Commission and state leaders, including the decision to combine North Bergen and Union City and how West Hudson towns were split up and moved to legislative districts in other counties.
“If anyone thought that they could weaken Hudson County by attempting to divide and conquer us they were sadly mistaken,” said Sacco.
Stack added, “Thanks to Nick Sacco’s selfless decision, Hudson County Democrats have never been more united.”
It remains to be seen what will happen with the new, 33rd District’s Assembly seats, now that Hoboken is out of the district, meaning Annette Chaparro and Raj Mukherji, who’s already announced a Senate run in the new 32nd district, cannot represent the 33rd. As it stands now, incumbent Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez of West New York and incumbent Assemblyman Pedro Mejia of Secaucus, currently 32nd District representatives, would both qualify to run for re-election in the 33rd District.
However, with Sacco bowing out, could a deal be worked out to give North Bergen an Assembly person?
Only time will tell.