U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9), Bergen County Democratic Chairman Lou Stellato, Passaic Chairman John Currie and Hudson Chairman Mark Smith today in a joint statement announced their support for Senator Barbara Buono (D-18) as the Democratic nominee for Governor.  

“It is time for our party to unite around Senator Buono and begin the campaign to take back our state from a governor who is more concerned with sound bites and rhetoric then solving the problems facing our communities,” said Chairman Stellato. “Senator Buono is a tenacious campaigner and she will without question make our party and the residents of this state proud.  She has the full support of the Bergen Democratic Committee and our elected officials.  We will work tirelessly to ensure Senator Buono is the next governor of this great state.”

“Congressman Pascrell and I received a lot of calls urging the Congressman to run for governor.  We appreciate all the support and encouragement, but Congressman Pascrell and I agree that now is the time to unify behind Senator Buono,” said Currie.

“I’ve known Senator Buono for over 20 years, and I am proud to support her candidacy. I recently met with Democratic municipal leaders and elected officials from throughout Passaic County and told them that the campaign starts today,” said Currie.

“New Jersey needs help, and the governor’s seemingly nonexistent plan for job creation has led to over 13% unemployment in Passaic County and unemployment throughout New Jersey almost two percentage points higher than the national average,” Currie added.   “Democrats need to rally behind Senator Buono to begin the process of taking back our government for the middle class and the working poor.”

“I am proud today to join with Congressman Pascrell, Chairman Currie and Chairman Stellato in endorsing Senator Barbara Buono for governor. I have known Senator Buono for a number of years and am proud to call her a friend.  She has been a true fighter in the battle for Hudson County’s middle class taxpayers, and the Hudson County Democratic Organization proudly endorses her for Governor.  We will provide our full support and stand with her every step of the way as her campaign to become governor progresses,” said Smith.

Pascrell added, "I'm proud to join my three county Democratic Chairmen in supporting Barbara Buono for the Democratic nomination for governor as we continue our fight for New Jersey's middle class taxpayers."