The Hudson County Democratic Organization recently announced its June Primary ticket for the 32nd and 33rd Legislative Districts, but has not yet revealed its three person slate (Senator and two Assembly persons) for District 31, which covers Bayonne and a section of Jersey City.
The HCDO-backed candidates in the newly, rezoned 32nd District, which added Hoboken from the 33rd District, are Assemblyman Raj Muhkerji, who is seeking the Senate seat, and newcomers, attorneys John Allen and Jessica Ramirez. Meanwhile, in the newly reconfigured 33rd District, which added North Bergen and West New York, Senator Brian Stack tops the slate, with Assembly candidates Gabriel Rodriguez, who’s stepping aside as West New York Mayor, and Julio Marenco, who will be vacating his North Bergen Commission seat.
But what about the 31st Legislative District, where speculation is swirling that incumbent Senator Sandra Cunningham may be retiring? Who will the HCDO be supporting? In a text message on Tuesday night, HCDO Chairman Anthony Vainieri told Hudson TV that the slate will be revealed within the next two weeks.
So what will it look like? Will incumbent Assemblywoman Angela McKnight be elevated for a Senate run if Cunningham chooses not to run? Like Cunningham, McKnight hails from Jersey City. Will incumbent Assemblyman William Sampson IV of Bayonne remain on the HCDO ticket? And who would be the third member of the ticket if Senator Cunningham steps aside?
These are all questions that remain unanswered, for now.
