In the 39th, it's Vandervalk and Schroeder

HILLSDALE - Winning the support of the Northeastern Republican Organization (NERO) here this afternoon, Washington Township Councilman Robert Schroeder will join veteran Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk on the Republican Party’s 39th Assembly District ticket.

An 18-Year Washington Township councilman and volunteer firefighter for 30 years, Schroeder told the NERO crowd prior to voting, “I promise as your legislator I will streamline the (permitting process) process (in Trenton). I will remove the layers of bureaucracy. You have my promise.”

Vandervalk and Schroeder, -who both ran with the backing of the district’s top dog, state Sen. Gerald Cardinale, bested former River Edge Councilman John Felice for the right to run with their party’s support in the June Republican Primary.

Vandervalk received 217 votes, Schroeder received 194, and Felice receivd 32. 

Harrington Park Councilman Tom Bettancourt had submitted his name to vie for party backing to pursue one of the two Assembly seats, but he reconsidered today and told NERO Chair Mike Ryan he wouldn’t run.

“I’m going to support Bob Schroeder,” Bettancourt said. “I’m a team player …Charlotte is battle-tested and a proven winner.”Schroeder will run in the place of Assemblyman John Rooney, who’s retiring this year after serving 26 years in the legislature.

In the race for two seats now held by Bergen County Democratic Freeholders Julie O’Brien and Vernon Walton - John Driscoll won with 177 votes; Robert Hermansen won 153; followed by Chris Calabrese with 89, Judith Fisher with 24 and Sab Skenderi with 7.

Democratic Freeholders Julie O’Brien and Vernon Walton in November.