PolitickerNJ.com

The City Council appointment of Ray Velazquez Jr. was a sign that Mayor Jerremiah Healy was out-muscled by a Jersey City legion redirecting their resources to protect County Executive Tom DeGise.

Facing an election next year, sources said DeGise did not want to offend his Puerto Rican constituency by awarding their seat on the Jersey City council to Healy aide Larry Nunez, a Dominican.

Healy’s second choice was also passed over in favor of Velazquez, a Puerto Rican who was sure to get the council’s nod.

DeGise Chief of Staff Bill Gaughan, who also represents Jersey City Heights on the council, pushed for Velazquez, even though the two butted heads in 2004 following the resignation of Gov. Jim McGreevey.

Gaughan told the Jersey Journal that homosexuality was an illness and later apologized for misspeaking. Velazquez said publicly that Gaughan needed to be more sensitive.

This time, Gaughan went to bat for Velazquez, who is expected to be voting with the Healy bloc that includes Gaughan and Council President Peter Brennan.

But their political opposition isn’t so sure that’s where Velazquez will stay. Sources are already wondering whether Velazquez’s rubber stamp will be sheathed after a few spins around the block with Team Healy.