By bringing the party together and seizing the property tax message, you have brought a victory. This former critic gives you a thumbs up.

I'll second that SewarenScoop...

Sure, the low turnout in Paterson worked to the Republicans' favor but Passaic, largely Democratic, had a strong turnout due to Gary Schaer running frantically to win his Assembly election.

Give credit to Scott and his team of grassroots organizers who worked every municipality (including Paterson and Passaic) to get the vote out. When was the last time you saw a multitude of Republican signs in the Silk City? Well, driving through Paterson you could see the efforts of the Rumana team.

Credit also the candidates who were everywhere. I never saw a team of Republican candidates who trumpeted the GOP message as well as this team. Great job ladies and gents!

Last but not least, it was good to see Murphy and Mecca uniting (albeit with great reluctance) with Rumana to see this win through. Its not a perfect union but its a start. The result was a win for both of them and for the party. After years of suffering loss after humiliating loss, it was nice to win for a change. Way to go PCRRO!

Its a shame in a way because the Passaic Dems are real nice guys but their governing record isnt great. I think with the 2010 races up and control at stake with a new Governor the GOP will unite. Lepore is vulnerable. I wonder what will happen with CD8 this year.

...from all the candidates and the county wide GOTV efforts. At the Paterson HQ, 60,000 calls made!

When we come TOGETHER, we can accomplish great things. Next year, we take control! Very nice to read that Sewarenscoop and I are on the same page, too!

It will be interesting to see the final numbers, but ultimately, this was a three year campaign for the tax message to hit with the effect that it had.

To all the Republican freeholder candidates who ran and lost, you were the foundation to this win.

Being a REPUBLICAN feels good, very good.

Thank you Captain Republican.

It looks like Joe Bubba, Jr. the son of Senator Bubba may have a bit of his father’s political aggression.

In mid summer 2009, the Passaic County Republican Party was still broken down, without a County Headquarters, and in need of energy. It resembled the GOP in the summer of 1981. That was the only year Joe Bubba Sr. was the County Chairman. He led Passaic County to victory in the Senate, Assembly and Freeholder races. Bubba worked with Red Murphy and Sheriff Englehardt in excess of a decade, building up the Passaic County Organization until the GOP held, the County Clerk, Surrogate, Register of Deeds and every Freeholder seat.

Joe Jr. called me after Governor-Elect Christie’s office asked him to get involved with the door-to-door campaigning. When Joe Jr. learned that our County had no GOP Headquarters he donated his building on 49 Market Street, Paterson, ironically 1 block from the old Headquarters. Governor-Elect Christie called a meeting and asked for Joe Jr. to put together a volunteer team to operate the telephone lines.

Three months later that ad-hoc office of volunteers grew to 60 people, and was responsible for phone banking in every township in the county except for the West Milford office that did a great job making 5000 calls. Joe’s staff made 60,000 calls and was manned with his family, friends, co-workers, and a hand full of Paterson volunteers.

We have had well intentioned GOP Leaders that have driven the Passaic GOP into the ground. However, we may never have had a Passaic County GOP Leader that did what Joe Jr. did without the title, but with an absolute militant determination. Evidently Joe Jr. longs for the Republican Prosperity we once enjoyed.

The thing that mystified me was when the press interviewed the so called big guys in Passaic County no one mentioned the super human effort we made. Governor-Elect Christie, recognized us, National Chairman Steele recognized us but the very people who we bailed out by doing their job chose not to mention the job we did. They talked about their unity but they fail to mention Christie wrote off Passaic County until we got involved. Victory may be less attainable next year if we are not involved.

The Market Street Militia was wonderful and the West Pateron HQ was also wonderful. While the Passaic County Republicans have actually had the West Paterson Headquarters for some time, Joe and his dedicated team did an outstanding job.

This was an effort by all Republicans. The perfect storm requires a team of forces. So long as Republicans can keep all egos in check, the wins this year will be the RULE and not the exception.

I am but one voice in the quiet landscape of observation, but in one unified voice, Republicans will dominate.