Union City Mayor and New Jersey State Senator Brian P. Stack has never shied away from a fight, and in a recent letter to constituents, he took aim at what he describes as a campaign of lies orchestrated by North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco’s political machine. Drawing on his decades of experience in Hudson County’s rough-and-tumble political landscape, Stack accused Sacco’s team of bending the truth to gain an edge, with tactics that he says cross the line into outright deception.
At the heart of the controversy is an attempt by Sacco’s camp to link Stack to former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. Stack dismissed the accusation as baseless and absurd, stating, “I don’t think anyone buys that I am in any way connected to Bob Menendez.” He called the strategy “just plain silly,” emphasizing his long history of independence. “I fought the political machine for years, beginning in my twenties,” Stack wrote. “I continue to be my own person and answer to only one boss—YOU.”
Stack didn’t stop at debunking the Menendez smear. He turned the tables, pointing out the hypocrisy of Sacco’s General Assembly candidate, Tony Hector, who has donated thousands of dollars to Menendez’s past campaigns. “You can’t make this up,” Stack remarked, highlighting the contradiction in Sacco’s team accusing him of a connection they themselves have.
Beyond the political mudslinging, Stack painted a damning picture of Hector, describing him as a multi-millionaire landlord who profits off tenants while leaving many of his properties vacant or abandoned. These actions, Stack argued, reflect the kind of failed leadership Sacco’s candidates would bring to office. “My opponents’ lies speak for themselves,” he wrote, tying their tactics to a broader pattern of self-serving politics.
For Stack, the Sacco machine’s falsehoods are nothing new in Hudson County politics, but they’re a stark reminder of what’s at stake. He urged voters to see through the distortions, writing, “Please don’t believe the false accusations of the political machine—they constantly lie to advance their own political agenda.” As election season looms, Stack is positioning himself as a fighter for the people, accountable only to his constituents and determined to counter the machine’s tactics with the truth.
It was Nick Sacco’s administration that enlisted Senator Menendez’s help to convince NJ DEP that the North Bergen Preschool’s playground in Braddock Park was open to the public. This, even though the playground was normally fenced, gated and locked and on the fence was a sign which said “NO TRESPASSING VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED NBPD ORD #574-95”.
This is one of many lies that the North Bergen administration has perpetrated in its attempt to keep its preschool in Braddock Park, at the expense of Hudson County taxpayers. What other towns have as many dedicated recreational areas in either Braddock Park or Lincoln Park as North Bergen has in Braddock Park? North Bergen has a track, football field, stadium, scheduled use of tennis courts, etc. – it does not also need a school in the park. Keep Bradddock Park for recreational use, not for school or other use. Email Senator Stack and tell him to stop the diversion of Braddock Park: SenStack@njleg.org